Alessia Russo on Arsenal's Champions League Ambition and Family Pride
In an exclusive interview, Alessia Russo, the England forward, reveals she is 'locked in' for Arsenal's crucial Champions League quarter-final clash against Chelsea. The 27-year-old, who has been in stellar form this season, shares insights into her mindset, family influence, and the Gunners' pursuit of silverware.
Staying Present and Focused
Russo emphasizes the importance of staying present to maintain peak performance. 'I'm staying quite present this year, which is something I've tried to do a lot over the last couple of years,' she says. 'Making sure I just enjoy the here and now and focus on each moment helps me stay locked in on one thing at a time.' She admits that compartmentalizing moments has become easier with age, noting that earlier in her career, things felt '100 miles an hour,' leading to distractions.
With 15 goals and six assists in 29 games for Arsenal this season, and as the leading scorer in the Champions League, Russo's approach is clearly paying off. She credits her happiness in both life and club environment for translating onto the pitch. 'Whenever you're happy in life and in your club environment, it breathes on to the pitch,' she explains. 'I do feel in a really good place. I feel super calm and I'm just enjoying my football.'
Champions League Pressure and Ambition
Arsenal faces Chelsea in a high-stakes London derby at the Emirates Stadium, with Russo highlighting the significance of a strong start. 'Making a strong start at the Emirates Stadium is super important,' she says. 'In tight games against top opposition, no chance can be wasted.' Reflecting on last season's Champions League victory, she adds, 'We know how amazing it feels to win and we want that feeling over and over again.'
Despite Manchester City's likely unassailable lead in the WSL, Arsenal remains in contention for the Champions League and FA Cup, keeping their trophy hopes alive. Russo acknowledges the different kind of pressure that comes with being defending champions. 'Maybe the pressure isn't as intense, but for us and the standards that we set ourselves, there's a different kind of pressure,' she notes. 'The difference is that we know we've got what it takes.'
Family Motivation and Personal Growth
Russo's family plays a pivotal role in her motivation. Her parents, Mario and Carol, and brothers Georgio and Luca, are regular attendees at her games, with Mario never missing a match. 'How they have raised me is something that I carry with me all the time,' she shares. 'They're a massive part of what motivates me. I'm motivated by winning, but I'm also motivated by making the people around me proud.'
She cherishes moments like her father wearing his first Arsenal shirt when she signed for the club and his pride at the 2022 European Championship. The recent addition of her niece, born on the day before last year's Champions League final, has added another layer of inspiration. 'She's just the light of our family now,' Russo says. 'Kids just make everything better. Whether I've had a good or bad game, I go into the family room and she's there.'
On-Field Versatility and Positivity
Playing a deeper role for Arsenal has allowed Russo to showcase her versatility beyond goals and assists. 'It's really nice that it's maybe being recognized from the outside, but as long as it's recognized by my teammates and the staff, then I'm happy,' she states. She enjoys the 'dirty stuff and the hard graft,' adding, 'I enjoy when things get tough.'
Russo also discusses learning from former teammates like Tobin Heath and Christen Press at Manchester United, who taught her to stay positive after missed chances. 'They were like: 'That's amazing. We're doing something right because we're getting these chances. So let's keep going and build momentum,'' she recalls. This mindset helps her maintain focus and seek redemption on the pitch.
Giving Back Through Foundation
Beyond football, Russo is passionate about giving back through The Alessia Russo Foundation, which aims to champion girls' participation in sports, empower young women, and elevate women's health. 'I feel grateful that I play for Arsenal, one of the best clubs in the world, and for England,' she says. 'I've got this platform, and while I'm fortunate enough to have that, I want to do something as meaningful as possible with it.'
She highlights the efforts of teammates like Ella Toone and Lauren James in similar initiatives, emphasizing the collective drive to make an impact. 'There's so much opportunity to be able to have an impact, and I would regret it in 10 years' time if I hadn't done anything to try and help,' Russo asserts.
Unwinding and Future Aspirations
To unwind, Russo enjoys films, TV shows, books—particularly Freida McFadden's thrillers—and watching Arsenal's men's team play. 'It's different enough because it's not my football,' she notes. She expresses hope for both Arsenal teams to win silverware this season, saying, 'That would be sick, a nice trophy parade,' but quickly adds, 'We've got to perform now. It would be amazing, but we've got to keep winning.'
As Arsenal prepares for a critical week of football, Russo's blend of focus, family pride, and determination underscores her commitment to achieving more glory on the European stage.
