‘Buzzing’ Alessia Russo left wanting more by Arsenal’s Champions League success

Arsenal forward Alessia Russo says the Gunners are just getting started after lifting the Champions League trophy in Lisbon.

They are still the only English club to win the women’s edition, having done it once before Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Barcelona as part of an historic quadruple in 2007.

The triumph also guarantees Arsenal a direct place in next season’s Champions League league phase – alongside Women’s Super League winners Chelsea – after becoming the first team in history to reach the final from qualifying round one.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” said Russo, after substitute Stina Blackstenius’ 74th-minute strike proved enough to inspire the underdogs to victory over a Barca side that had conquered Europe in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HELAUEn23

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025

“I can’t really put it into words, it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We didn’t really want to say it too much, but we all kind of had this feeling.

“We knew we could and we just had to go and deliver.”

The result means Arsenal will also represent Europe in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup next year, entering as automatic semi-finalists.

And while it is the brilliant culmination of a hard-fought campaign – and seven-month journey under boss Renee Slegers – Russo also sees it as just a first step.

“I feel like that massively,” she said. “When you win things, you want to win things even more, and also you know you’re good enough to do it.

“I think it was important to win for many reasons, but now we want to win more. We want to go back and start next year strong. We want to compete