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The Manchester United supporters were in shock when they heard the Arsenal away fans singing a modified version of their chant for Ella Toone and Alessia Russo. The new lyrics were “Here we goooo, Lotte and Lessi Russo!” The United fans were taken aback and some even expressed their outrage at their rivals’ audacity. This chant was once dedicated to Toone and Russo, both devoted United fans, but now it has been adopted by Arsenal, specifically for Lotte Wubben-Moy and Russo, who joined the team after her contract with United ended.
Russo, with a sheepish and embarrassed expression, admits, “I wasn’t even aware of that.” She is seated in a red leather chair at Arsenal’s training facility, preparing for their highly anticipated match against Chelsea. With over 57,000 tickets already sold for the game at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, she remarks, “When you’re involved in the sport, you don’t always notice the banter between fans.”
The transfer to Arsenal caused a stir, as it was reported that the team rejected two high-priced offers for the English striker in January. Manchester United made the decision to allow her to leave for free in the upcoming summer, rather than bolstering a competing team as they fought for the league title and spot in the Champions League.
Russo was faced with the challenge of separating her personal and professional lives when making decisions about her career. She had to put aside any sentimental attachment and make practical choices. The 24-year-old, who pays tribute to Michael Jordan by wearing his No 23 jersey, attended the same university as him – the University of North Carolina. She admits that it was a difficult decision, as being a player comes with its own set of challenges that often go unseen. Despite being a lifelong fan of Manchester United, Russo has learned to appreciate and follow the club from a distance. She recognizes that football is ever-changing and one must fully immerse themselves in the present moment.
During his time at United, Russo was highly regarded and felt at home. He formed strong friendships in Manchester and knows they will last a lifetime. However, as is common in football, players must step out of their comfort zone to progress. The sport moves quickly and suddenly finding oneself in a new team can be challenging. But the quick pace of things forces one to adapt quickly and not dwell on the changes too much.
There was a great deal of interest in Russo, who was not under contract, but Arsenal was determined to acquire her. Her decision to join the team in North London was based on her feelings towards the people and the location. “I am someone who values relationships,” she explains. “I believe that if you are in the right place with the right people, then the possibilities are endless. That’s how I feel here. The people are extraordinary and that was the most important factor for me. You just have a sense, an instinct when you talk to people and have those discussions, and you have to trust it.”
“The way that they elevate the women’s game and the work they put into the women’s team is massive. It’s a special club – you can feel it as soon as you walk through the door.”
Having Kelly Smith join Arsenal’s team was a major draw. “She has always been one of my role models since I was young,” she explains. “She is very meticulous and won’t overwhelm you with information, but will instead focus on two or three important details.”
Russo’s mention of the swift pace of events is significant, as she was introduced as an Arsenal team member just days before heading to Australia with the English national team for the World Cup. In between losing to Spain in the final, which was a source of ongoing pain, and the start of an unsuccessful Champions League qualifying campaign, she had a mere 17 days. Luckily, she had enough time before the World Cup to manage the details of her move.
“It can be difficult to make changes, but they can also be beneficial,” she remarks. “I recently moved to a new location closer to my family, which is great. I was fortunate enough to find and visit an apartment that I loved, and the landlord had to make a decision between me and another couple. He gave me a few days to think it over. This all happened the day before I signed the lease and I received the keys just after the World Cup. Everything fell into place smoothly, which is not usually the case.”
Despite his success at Arsenal, there have been murmurs questioning Russo’s goal-scoring abilities with only two league goals. This discussion is puzzling to those who have closely followed Russo’s performances, as he has primarily played in a deeper position or as a No. 10, where he excels at creating opportunities for his teammates. It also takes time to develop strong chemistry with teammates.
“I have a continuous drive to improve as a player,” she states. “Joining a new team means adapting to new players and playing styles, but overall it has been a positive experience. With the amount of time we’ve had together, I am gradually becoming more comfortable and familiar with my teammates’ preferences, habits, and how we can support each other.”
Just before we took our seats, I inquired Jonas Eidevall about Russo. He praised her as “possibly the most skilled scorer I’ve ever coached” and stressed the importance of the team setting her up for success. This comes from a manager who has worked with Vivianne Miedema, the top scorer in both the WSL and the Netherlands, as well as Beth Mead, the Euro 22 golden boot winner. It’s definitely a confident statement.
When informed of his statement, Russo chuckles. “It’s good to hear that,” she responds. “But we are all putting in a lot of effort as a team.”
When asked if she could score more, she takes time to reflect. She believes that as she gets older, she realizes there are many small actions she can take to benefit her team during a game or over the course of a season. While scoring is important to her, she also acknowledges the value of learning and improving on smaller aspects of her game, such as movements in the penalty box and creating more space. These details may not be noticeable to others, but she is actively working on them to better her performance.
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Russo’s impact on the field was evident during Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Brighton, particularly when she made a crucial sliding tackle to stop Katie Robinson, who was playing out of position at right-back. In that match, I played as the number 10, so I had a more defensive role. I quickly realized that I needed to step up and support my teammates in any way possible. The pace of the game was intense, and we had to cover for each other.
Some of the connections are already established. Having her England teammates Wubben-Moy, Mead, and Leah Williamson at Arsenal has made it easier for Russo to adjust both on and off the field. Russo and Wubben-Moy previously played together at the University of North Carolina, where Russo developed a love for country music due to its prevalence. “I always say that Lotte has been like a big sister to me from the beginning. And anyone who knows Lotte knows she’s very wise. We’ve been through a lot together. She’s one of my closest friends. She helped me a lot during college, which can be a vulnerable time. You’re 18, moving to the other side of the world. But she’s always been there for me.”
One of the unique aspects of football is the individuals you encounter. Toone and Wubben-Moy have vastly different personalities, but they are both among Russo’s closest friends. “In football, you make friends with people that you might not have met otherwise in school or everyday life. It’s really amazing to have connections with diverse individuals. Tooney is like a little sister to me and Lotte is like a big sister. I am grateful to have them by my side to share the ups and downs of football.”
Being there when Mead came back from the low of her ACL injury was particularly poignant for Russo. Mead came on and assisted Russo’s first WSL goal for Arsenal – a late winner against Aston Villa. “What she’s been through has been so tough, but to see her back and feeling good again is nice,” Russo says. “She’s a player that you always want to play with. You want to be in the box for her crosses, because she can put them on an absolute dime.
“When she entered, I felt a rush of emotions. We were all fully immersed in the game, but the overwhelming reception she received was truly remarkable. The entire stadium was buzzing with energy. Reflecting on that moment is quite emotional.”
The fan support at Arsenal has been exceptional, with continuous cheering and impressive attendance both at home and away games. “Even at Boreham Wood, you can sense and hear the non-stop singing from the crowd. The chants are fantastic. We often listen to Voulez-Vous in the locker room and sing along to Cloé Lacasse’s song.”
The heightened interest in players as the game continues to gain popularity presents some challenges. “One of my favorite moments after a game is interacting with fans during our post-game lap or when we have some contact with them. I always see young boys and girls holding signs for players. It’s difficult for us because we want to show our appreciation to all of our fans and do as much as we can, but the increasing level of the game makes it challenging for us to have that personal connection with them.
In recent years, the number of fans has grown significantly, which is amazing and exactly what we want for women’s football. As a little girl 10-15 years ago, I would have been thrilled to attend games and get a photo with players like Kelly or Rachel Yankey. Now, being in the position I am, I am even more grateful and dedicated to giving my time to these fans.
Source: theguardian.com
