‘Buzzing' Alessia Russo left wanting more by Arsenal's Champions League success
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 domestically more so than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.'
The returning champions will celebrate their title on Monday alongside 10,000 fans in Armoury Square outside the Emirates Stadium in London, where the trophy lift will take place at around 1140 in the morning.
Celebrating together 🫶
Details of Monday's Armoury Square trophy lift are confirmed 📋
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
It is a quick turnaround ahead of the next international window, beginning for Russo and England with Friday's Nations League meeting with Portugal at Wembley.
Arsenal's victory is a testament to resilience and risk. Forward Chloe Kelly revealed after the triumph that she had nearly taken a break from football after finding herself in 'a dark place' at Manchester City before joining the Gunners on loan in January.
And two days before teeing up Blackstenius' winner in the final, England forward and second-half substitute Beth Mead, writing for the Players' Tribune, penned a heartfelt tribute to her mother, June, who died from ovarian cancer in 2023.
Then there is the rise of former assistant Slegers, who was appointed as the permanent head coach in January after serving on an interim basis since October, no doubt beating out more proven candidates for one of the most coveted jobs in women's football.
'It means so much, for everyone who has built towards this across many years,' said the 36-year-old boss. 'But it also means so much for the future, because it motivates people, it motivates us, and it shows what we are capable of.
'There's even more in the group. The strength of this team has been to be in the present, and trying to become better every single day. And of course if you are part of Arsenal and win trophies, that's what builds bonds.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal transfer update as Mikel Arteta makes final decision
Mikel Arteta could finally have a new striker at his disposal as Arsenal progress in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a crucial transfer window for the Gunners Arsenal face an important summer in the transfer market as they once again attempt to bridge the gap to finding success under Mikel Arteta. For third year in succession the Gunners finished as runners-up in the Premier League and probably missed an opportunity along the way. Arteta is keen to see his squad strengthened in the coming months and a new striker is top of the agenda. The Gunners have been linked to a long list of players, including Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. It is not the only position Arsenal hope to improve in however. Nico Williams remains of interest for Arteta and Morgan Rogers, Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Leroy Sane are all said to be shortlisted. There are just two days remaining of the first transfer window of the summer. Arsenal won't have long to wait until it is once again available to them on June 16. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours around the Emirates below. Sesko talks scheduled Arsenal are set for more talks for the transfer of Benjamin Sesko, as the Gunners attempt to finally land a new forward. There is no agreement in place between the north London side and RB Leipzig just yet but they have already pencilled in another round of talks with positive feelings over reaching an agreement according to Sky Sports Germany. Leipzig still await an official offer from Arsenal, and have placed a price-tag of £60m on the 22-year-old star. Striker convinced Arsenal are solely focused on landing Benjamin Sesko and advancing their course to get a deal over the line, with no move for Viktor Gyokores expected currently, per reports. The deal is said to be advancing well for Sesko, as the consensus appears, with Mikel Arteta proving convincing. It is claimed that Sesko has been 'sold on Arteta's project' having decided to remain in Germany last season amid the Gunners' long-term interest. The 41-cap Slovenia international now appears prepared to leave. Zubimendi concern Martin Zubimendi has two reasons to reject a move to Arsenal with Real Madrid lurking in wait. The Gunners have an agreement in place with Real Sociedad over the transfer but Zubimendi has yet to have a medical and has said he expects a long summer. Reports in Spain suggest that Zubimendi would prefer to remain in his home nation however, eve if he is to leave Real Sociedad. AS claim Zubimendi is 'attracted' to the idea of playing for Real Madrid under Alonso too, having previously played under him for Real Sociedad B. Real Madrid are interested in the 26-year-old and new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is said to have made the player his primary target. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
PSG president explains strict transfer rule Luis Enrique says they must follow
Luis Enrique has changed the way that Paris Saint-Germain approach transfers, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi explaining how they now conduct business under the Spanish manager Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has explained the rule Luis Enrique has enforced since joining the club that helped them win the Champions League. PSG claimed their maiden title in the competition by destroying Inter Milan 5-0 on May 31 – and a great deal of the credit went to manager Enrique. The French giants had faltered in Europe's premier club competition in previous years, but triumphed with a team packed full of young guns. Their new look under Enrique was highlighted by Desire Doue – the 20-year-old attacker who scored twice in the final. He was signed from Rennes for €50million (£42m) in August 2024 to form a part of the young spine of Enrique's side. PSG also signed Joao Neves (19), William Pacho (22) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24) during the 2024/25 season, all of whom started the thrashing of Inter. Al-Khelaifi says that focus on youth will continue while Enrique remains the manager. "He is the best coach to develop young players,' he told Qatari broadcaster Al-Kass. 'He likes young players. For example, buying a 28 or 27-year-old player is impossible for him, forbidden, he absolutely does not want it. 'He likes all players who are 21 or 22 years old. Have you noticed the latest players we have recruited? The oldest is 23 or 24, no more. "Luis Enrique likes a fighting spirit, he likes a player who gives his all, who runs a lot on the pitch, who is generous in his effort. How do we work? [Sporting director] Luis Campos has to present the player to the coach. The coach has to study how he plays, his value, his price and other aspects. 'There has to be an agreement, an agreement between everyone, even if each has their role. For everything that concerns scouting, it is Luis Enrique who has to approve the player. He has to be convinced that the player fits into his future project. Then, we, the management, also give our approval.' HAVE YOUR SAY! Can PSG sustain their form next season? Comment below. Al-Khelaifi also used the interview to fire shots at former PSG striker Kylian Mbappe, who left for Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, only to end his debut season trophyless. PSG won the treble without him, with Enrique claiming the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Champions League to give his president ammunition. "It's easier to score goals in La Liga than in Ligue 1," Al-Khelaifi said. "Luis Enrique proudly represented Ligue 1 and defended it against Premier League fans who called it the Farmers' League. "We ended up beating Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the Champions League this season. Nobody thought we would win the title. We approached the Champions League step by step.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
It feels like we're a group of mates – Skipper Harry Brook hails England unity
Brook has won five on the bounce against the West Indies since taking over from Jos Buttler, sweeping the tourists 3-0 in the ODI leg and going 2-0 up with one to play in the T20s. England did not have it easy in Sunday's four-wicket win at Bristol, with the asking rate climbing past 11 an over at one stage as they chased down a stiff target of 197. IT20 series win secured! 🔒 Victory in Bristol 🙌 Banton and Carse see us home 👏 Match Centre: — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 8, 2025 But they stuck together to get over the line, with five of their top six making handy contributions before Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton took the bull by the horns. The middle-order duo hammered 56 off just 21 deliveries between them to puncture the West Indian resistance and keep the good times rolling for Brook. It was the kind of game England were losing in the difficult final days under Buttler, whose reign ended with eight straight defeats across both formats. But there is a new lighter feeling around the group – including the newly liberated former skipper, who has top-scored with 96 and 47 in the last two games. 'It feels like we're a group of mates. We're just going out and having fun,' said Brook. 'It's been nice for me. The results are awesome and we're really enjoying it. We're having a good time out there. 'At the end of games we go around the circle and Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) asks if anybody has anything to say. In every game so far someone has stood up and said something. I think that's a great way of showing how the team is at the minute and we feel a proper togetherness.' The West Indies made England sweat at times, taking 82 off their last five overs including an unexpected tirade against Adil Rashid in the 19th. For so long the team's most bankable bowler, the leg-spinner shipped five sixes and 31 runs in what goes down as the second most expensive over by an English bowler in T20s. Stuart Broad holds the unwanted record of 36, taken for six off every ball by Yuvraj Singh at the 2007 World Cup. Brook, though, insists he and his team were never rattled. 'I'm always very chilled. We knew that there was going to be one, two, maybe three big overs,' he said. From a different angle 📐 All 25 of our boundaries! 💥#ENGvWI | #EnglandCricket — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 8, 2025 'On a pitch that size, with 60-metre boundaries nearly all the way around, we accepted that before the game and we knew we could get big overs as well. 'The way Bants went about his business, getting 30 off 11 balls having never really batted in the middle order before was just awesome.' The West Indies have one more chance to avoid a winless tour in Southampton on Tuesday but head coach Daren Sammy paid tribute to Akeal Hosein, who took the field just six hours after arriving from the Caribbean following visa delays. 'He said to me, 'there's no way I'm not playing',' Sammy explained. 'Kudos to him, he turned up for us. An eight-hour flight straight into a game is not ideal but it shows his commitment.'
