‘I enjoy when things get tough’: Alessia Russo on Arsenal’s trophy quest, family pride and staying focused

In an exclusive interview, the England forward explains she is ‘locked in’ for the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea

Alessia Russo is happy and it shows. The 27-year-old is playing some of the best football of her career for Arsenal and England. She has 15 goals and six assists in 29 games for her club this season, is the leading scorer in the Champions League before the first leg of the quarter-final against Chelsea on Tuesday, and has four goals in six games for England since her equaliser in the Euro 2025 final.

“Whenever you’re happy in life and in your club environment, it breathes on to the pitch,” she says. “I do feel in a really good place. I feel super calm and I’m just enjoying my football.