Russo says London City Lionesses investment is good news for the WSL ahead of opening game | OneFootball

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo says she is relishing the prospect of increased competition in the WSL this season in the form of newly promoted London City Lionesses.

London City, owned by wealthy American businesswoman Michelle Kang, have made 17 signings ahead of their debut season in the top flight.

Among them include the big money signing of PSG’s Grace Geyoro, former Arsenal and Lyon midfielder Danielle van de Donk and Barcelona defender Jana Fernandez.

“It’s going to be really tough,” Russo admitted ahead of her Arsenal side’s clash against their London rivals. “We’re aware of how well they’ve recruited, with the players that they had that got them promoted as well last year.

“So, we’re very aware that, like any other game in this league this season, you can’t take anyone for granted.

“London City have proven this window that they’re going in with full strength. We’ve been working hard and concentrating on ourselves. But, we need to be aware of their threats too.”

As the only WSL team not to have an affiliated men’s team, the Lionesses have been making headlines with their financial backing and strong recruitment.

“It’s great to see the investment in women’s football,” Russo continued. “What she’s [Kang] doing with the club is incredible.

“The way it’s also jumped in the past few years and now to be in the WSL, we want these teams backed and we want more competition in the league.

“That’s exactly what we’re going to get with London City. So I think it’s going to be great to see, again, more top players in the WSL, more top players competing week in, week out.”

However, London City Lionesses are not the only club breaking the bank this summer. Arsenal initially set the women’s football transfer record in July by signing talented Canadian international Olivia Smith from Liverpool for over £1m, only for the Lionesses to surpass it with the deal for Geyoro.

Smith hit the ground running in England after joining from Sporting CP, scoring seven goals for Liverpool and winning the club’s player of the season award.

Speaking about her excitement to play with Smith, Russo, who signed a new deal with the Gunners this week, said: “She’s a great player. I remember watching her last season and also playing against her last season and thinking that she’s got so much potential.

“Already you can see so many sparks of it from last season and she’s only just turned 21, which is crazy.

“She is a lovely person as well, and coming in, I don’t consider myself old, but older now. I try and help a new player come in and fit in straight away because it can be tough,” Russo continued.

“But she’s great, she’s powerful, she’s fast, she holds a lot of strengths that I would love to play with a winger.

“I can’t wait to play with her. I think she has bags of talent and so much potential. Hopefully we can play this year together. But she’s definitely someone that we’re all looking forward to having now at Arsenal.”