Arsenal women will welcome Manchester United to a sold-out Emirates Stadium this Saturday in what should be an action-packed match, with lots of drama. Both sides need the three points in their journey to win silverware and Champions League spots this season, and one player that everyone, Arsenal and United fans, will have their eyes on is Alessia Russo.
Russo joined Arsenal in the summer from her childhood club United, in what was a big move for the Lioness, and will be looking to try punishing them at The Emirates. She’s been a vital player in Eidevall’s system since joining the Gunners, and Saturday will be a huge task for her to face her old side for the second time this season.
We walked away in October last year with a point after a late goal by Cloe Lacasse, and Russo didn’t have the best game against her old squad, looking a bit lost throughout the clash. But since then she’s really found her feet in London, and now looks at home and like she’s been in London for years. Eidevall did start her on the right wing against United last time, which is not her preferred position, so that could definitely have something to do with it. She didn’t see a lot of the ball, and maybe going back to face her old club at their home was a bit daunting for her.
Russo has scored 6 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this season for the Gunners, and has been a key part in the build up to many other goals. She will no doubt be up for the occasion, and after last season scoring the winner against us at The Emirates in the dying seconds, with a header from a set piece corner, she will hopefully be able to replicate that for Arsenal this season.
Russo’s been on the scoring sheet a lot lately, scoring 2 goals and an assist in her last 4 appearances. Eidevall seems to have grown a lot of trust in her, and has started her for most of their games, and will expect her to be at her best this Saturday.
Coming back to face your old club is always hard, especially when you’ve spent most of your life growing up there like Russo has, but I think she will want to get on the scoresheet and punish her old club. The United fans weren’t happy to see Russo leave, and made that clear the last time we faced them. I’d expect a lot more of the same this time around, but being on home soil might be the difference, and hopefully we can walk away with the 3 much-needed points.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
COYGW!
Daisy Mae
Follow JustArsenal’s Gooner Women on Just Gooner Women on Twitter (X) for regular updates on the Arsenal Womens Team!
Do you want to read more about the Arsenal Women’s Team? Click here….
