Russo insists that Arsenal have a target on their back after UWCL win | OneFootball

Alessia Russo believes that Arsenal have a target on their back after their UEFA Women’s Champions League win last season.

Stina Blackstenius’ goal against Barcelona in Lisbon ensured that Arsenal won the Champions League despite the Spanish side being heavy favourites going into the game.

However, in the first game back in Europe since last years final, they were beaten by Lyon 2-1 at Meadow Park. This loss is now their second in a row, in fact, Arsenal have not won any of their last four matches.

Russo insists that the loss will not deter them from trying to win the competition again when speaking to Disney+ after the game.

“I think so,” she said when asked if Arsenal have a target on their back because they won the tournament last season. “But that’s something we need to use as fuel.

“We know how hard we worked for that trophy and how it felt to win it. When you win a trophy with a team it lights a fire to want to win more because that feeling is like nothing else.

“It’s a long season, it’s hard graft but when you get moments like that it makes everything worth it. Although tonight didn’t go to plan, we’ll keep pushing.”

Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City in their last Women’s Super League fixture, but the striker believes that there is still a long season ahead and they can bounce back from this poor run of form.

“We have to be realistic, she said. “We know it’s a long season ahead full of highs and lows.

“We definitely felt that last season in the Champions League. You can never get too high or too low. We’ve got to keep pushing ourselves because we don’t like losing, we don’t like being in moments like this.”