England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

The best Samsung fitness trackers in 2024

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

How to watch UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Jones exactly what England need as Carsley does Tuchel big favour

Should he stay or should he go? Miami's Luis Suarez dilemma

Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Russo signed for Arsenal as free agent</li><li>Impressed despite only scoring twice</li><li>Arsenal face Chelsea in top-of-the-table clash</li></ul>

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

Leicester City WFC

Manchester United Women

Women's Champions League

Arsenal Women

Juventus

The forward felt she needed to move to Arsenal to challenge herself and help elevate her football. The striker made the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/arsenal-sign-england-alessia-russo-free-lioness-manchester-united-departure/bltb0165ea867433aac" target="_blank">controversial switch to the Gunners</a> in the summer after her contract expired and has impressed so far this season - <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/alessia-russo-jonas-eidevall-womens-super-league/bltced55a3acc2e30ac" target="_blank">despite struggling for goals</a>. 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.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On her decision to leave United, Russo told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/08/alessia-russo-arsenal-comfort-zone-manchester-united-england?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>: "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.”

WHAT RUSSO SAID

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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/beth-mead-back-brace-lionesses-star-ends-428-day-wait-wsl-goal-win-arsenal-west-ham/blt249694cf5b74bcea" target="_blank">Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema returning from ACL injuries</a>, 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 BIGGER PICTURE

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

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.

WHAT NEXT FOR RUSSO AND ARSENAL?

'You have to step out of your comfort zone' - Lionesses star Alessia Russo explains controversial decision to leave Man Utd behind to join Arsenal | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Arsenal and England star Alessia Russo has opened up on her decision to swap the comfort of Manchester United for their WSL rivals in north London.

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