‘It’s been tough’ – Lionesses star Alessia Russo opens up on challenging start to life at Arsenal following blockbuster summer move from Man Utd

Lionesses star Alessia Russo has opened up on why her summer switch to Arsenal from Manchester United has been “tough”.

The England striker switched sides ahead of the new season and has struggled at times to be at her most effective as she settles in north London, though she has come up with some big goals amid all of that, most recently to defeat bitter rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking about the move, Russo told Sky Sports: “I’m loving it. It’s been tough. It’s always tough when you move sides. You’ve got to learn a different style of play and different players around you, but it’s great.

I’m learning a lot about myself as a person and as a player, finding new connections and just trying to get better and keep progressing myself and the team.

It’s been great. You make a lot of new friends and you’re in a new environment, so it’s a new challenge, but one that I’ve been really enjoying.”

Russo will be confident she can make an impact in the game as well, as it was only back in December that she scored twice and generally shone in a 4-1 win for Arsenal over Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.

The Continental Cup final takes place on Sunday afternoon at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, with Russo and Arsenal looking to get some immediate revenge on Chelsea after the Blues beat them earlier this month in the league.