'You have to step out of your comfort zone' - Lionesses star Alessia Russo explains controversial decision to leave Man Utd behind to join Arsenal

The forward felt she needed to move to Arsenal to challenge herself and help elevate her football. The striker made the controversial switch to the Gunners in the summer after her contract expired and has impressed so far this season - despite struggling for goals. The childhood United fan explained that she had been drawn to the crowds Arsenal have been able to attract at the Emirates and the chance of winning both the Women's Super League and the Champions League.

On her decision to leave United, Russo told The Guardian: "You have to step out of your comfort zone. That’s what I had to do to make the next step. Football moves quickly and within the blink of an eye you find yourself somewhere else. That can be tough. But you are forced to settle in quickly, and things move so fast that you don’t even have too much time to think about it.”

On choosing to sign for Arsenal, she explained: "You get a feeling, you get almost a gut feeling when you speak to people and have those conversations and you just kind of have to roll with it.

“The way that [Arsenal] 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.”

Russo joined a glut of attacking talent at Arsenal and has found it difficult to establish herself as the leading number nine, with Stina Blackstenius often leading the line for the Gunners. Russo has been deployed deeper by Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall, and has impressed with her ability to hold up the ball and link play.

With star players Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema returning from ACL injuries, Arsenal's attacking options rank among the best in the world. The Gunners will hope their resurgent frontline, led by Russo, can fire them to league success for the first time since 2019.

The Arsenal fans have adopted the Manchester United fans' chant for Russo. To the tune of 'Rockin' All Over the World', Arsenal fans sing 'Here we go, Lotte and Lessi Russo' - linking Russo with her Arsenal and England team-mate and best friend from college in America, Lotte Wubben-Moy.

Second-place Arsenal host league leaders Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow in front of an almost sell-out crowd. Russo credited the Arsenal crowds as one of the key reasons for joining the club, and the Gunners fans will be hoping their new star can repay their support and fire their title push.