Alessia Russo has lauded the Arsenal faithful as ‘a part of our team’ after the Gunners returned to winning ways with two victories on the bounce.
Arsenal’s number 23 was the undeniable star of the show last night, Russo’s hat-trick meant she became England’s outright all time top goal-scorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on 23 goals, over-taking Fran Kirby. Her third goal was also Arsenal’s 200th under head coach Renée Slegers, who waxed lyrical about her captain for the night, Russo, post-match.
The England forward was speaking after Arsenal’s most comprehensive victory of the season, a 3-0 win over Portuguese champions Benfica at Meadow Park and The Halfway Line was present to hear from her.
Benfica performance is ‘the standard’ for Arsenal says Alessia Russo
Alessia Russo has scored on some big Champions League nights for Arsenal, especially at Meadow Park. Russo has goals at Meadow Park against OL Lyonnes, Real Madrid and now a hat-trick against Benfica. The Halfway Line asked Russo about playing at the famous old ground,
“Yeah, it’s different” came Russo’s carefully considered reply. “But I think when we come to Borehamwood, the one thing that we know for sure is how loud it’s going to be. It feels like the fans are on top of us, and it’s about using that.
“We wanted to use them on Saturday in the North London Derby, and then use them again tonight. They’re a part of our team. They’re a part of our performances, and yeah, we love playing here.”
The Halfway Line asked Russo if the two victories in quick succession made it feel like Arsenal were ready to kick on and put a bad patch of form behind them,
“Yeah, it does” Russo explained. “But I think you learn a lot from the tough times as well, so I think the way that we’ve stuck together as a team builds a lot of togetherness. In tougher moments to come, I know that we’ve got the resilience in the squad to handle anything. So, yeah, we’ve built a lot, learnt a lot, and now it’s nice to have a couple of wins on the bounce.
“I think you’re when you’re part of the top team, you go through spells, you go through things where it doesn’t go your way, and the way we’ve responded, the way we’ve regrouped as a team, I think tonight was just about enjoying and knowing that, we want to back it up now.
“This is the standard. We saw it against Spurs, and we know the quality that we have in the team. And now it’s about continuing that performance [level].”
‘I love playing in the Champions League’ Russo says
On the night, the three goals came in varied fashion, one from outside the box, one a header from a set piece and finally a clinical penalty, dispatched with consummate ease. Russo was asked how much confidence she can take from a hat-trick on the night,
“Yeah, I mean I love playing in the Champions League and I love scoring” Russo simply noted. “So yeah, it’s the perfect night!” As far as the match-ball’s destination is concerned? “I think it’ll probably go to my dad. He collects all my memorabilia. He’s got his boxes just under his bed. They don’t really do anything, but yeah, he takes it all.”
Arsenal started the evening with Géraldine Reuteler on the right wing, Caitlin Foord on the other and Russo in the 10 behind Olivia Smith up front. The English striker was asked about her partnerships in the team, specifically with Smith,
“Yeah, Liv’s [Olivia Smith is] a great player, a great person, someone that I kind of try and take under my wing a little bit” Russo said. “She’s got so much talent, so much potential, and I think she can probably play anywhere across the front four with her pace, her strength, her quality on the ball.
“So, yeah, I just try and communicate to her out of possession, that’s probably the biggest difference. And then when she’s in and around the box, I want her to be shooting and creating as much can because, yeah, when she gets a shot off, no one stopping it.”
