Alessia Russo has opened up about how her time at Arsenal has transformed her into a genuine supporter of the club, despite never growing up as a fan of the Gunners. The 27-year-old forward, who joined Arsenal without any prior allegiance, admits she has been won over by the club's culture and its people since her arrival.
Russo's affection for Arsenal was on full display during the club's victory parade through north London, which celebrated both the men's Premier League triumph and the women's Champions Cup success. The nine-kilometre procession through streets filled with red smoke saw Russo fully immersed in the celebrations, singing and interacting with fans from the top of the bus.
"I had the time of my life that day," Russo said, describing the experience as one of the standout moments of her career. She explained how sharing the day with teammates such as Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy, both known as genuine lifelong Arsenal supporters, helped her appreciate the depth of the club's fanbase.
"When you come to Arsenal... you kind of take on a part of it and really start to understand and absorb their love for Arsenal," she said, adding that she now feels a personal stake in the club's success beyond her professional role.
Beyond her on-pitch achievements, Russo has become an increasingly vocal advocate for growing the women's game at grassroots level. Earlier this year she launched her own foundation and has partnered with Starling Bank on the fifth edition of its Kick On initiative, which connects local businesses with girls' football teams in need of financial support, particularly for shirt sponsorships.
Data gathered by Starling Bank, based on surveys of over 1,000 female adult and youth players along with grassroots coaches and small business leaders, revealed troubling figures: 97% of grassroots girls' teams say they need more funding, while 76% of players indicated they might be forced to quit the sport within five years without additional financial support. The survey also found that 40% of female players believe their teams receive less funding compared to boys' teams.
Russo expressed concern about the growth of the women's game potentially stalling if these issues are not addressed. "They are quite damning statistics, which is such a shame considering the growth that we see in the women's game," she said, pointing out that while progress has been significant in recent years, the sport's foundations still need reinforcement.
She emphasized the importance of not letting talented young players slip through the cracks due to a lack of resources, referencing her own journey through grassroots football and the role that local support played in shaping her career. "You never know, you might help produce a superstar who goes on to have an incredible career," she said of potential sponsors.
With no major international tournament for women's football this year, Russo used the extended offseason to rest both physically and mentally after a demanding stretch of matches. She spent time traveling, attended England's World Cup warm-up match against Panama in New York, and celebrated with teammate Ella Toone during her wedding festivities.
Having returned to preseason training with Arsenal, Russo says she's fully focused on the upcoming campaign. Reflecting on an impressive individual season in 2025-26, which included crucial goals in the Champions League against Chelsea, she remains driven primarily by team success. "I'll always judge it on the trophies that we win," she said, noting the club's ambition under manager Renée Slegers to compete for the Women's Super League title with a revamped squad that includes seven new signings.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.