The Alessia Russo goal celebration for Arsenal that television viewers didn’t see | OneFootball

Alessia Russo scored two late goals as Arsenal rounded off a 5-1 win against West Ham United in the Women’s Super League at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

But those watching on television might not have seen her special celebration as the cameras cut away and showed replays instead.

But she told the club website later that she had mimed “a little arrow, for the young girls I did my signing video with!”

And all was revealed when the club released more of the footage from Russo’s visit to the Arsenal hub where she met some girls who are hoping to follow in her footsteps and represent the Gunners one day.

One girl asked her: “If you had to make a whole new celebration, what would it be?”

A laughing Russo replied: “I don’t know. Why don’t you pick me a celebration?”

The girl answered: “Maybe the arrow?”

“The arrow? Like that?” said Russo, miming drawing back a bow and releasing an arrow to the girl’s agreement. “OK. Deal. My next goal, I’ll do the arrow for you lot!”

Alessia Russo and her Arsenal track record

Arsenal were already 3-1 up when Russo unleashed a fantastic strike into the top scorer past West Ham goalkeeper Megan Walsh, and it was injury time when she put away the penalty won by new team-mate Olivia Smith.

The 26-year-old scored 20 goals in 41 appearances last season as she helped Arsenal to the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Her 12 goals in 21 league appearances secured her the Women’s Super League Golden Boot for 2024-25.

Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said when Russo signed a new contract earlier in the month: “Alessia is one of the best strikers in world football and we’re thrilled to have agreed a new, long-term contract with her. We are all determined to bring more silverware to this club and keeping players like Alessia at the club is crucial to achieving that.

“I know our supporters will be delighted by this news, I join them in congratulating Alessia on her new contract.”

And head coach Renee Slegers added: “Alessia is a really important part of our group and I’m so pleased that she has signed a new deal here. As a striker, Alessia’s goals often take the spotlight – but she brings so much more to our group.

“She’s a selfless player, working so hard for the team, and she also contributes so much to our team culture. I’m looking forward to striving for more together.”