Alessia Russo says UEFA Women's Champions League holders Arsenal have a target on their back, urges side to use it as 'fuel' after OL Lyonnes defeat
Updated 07/10/2025 at 23:42 GMT+1
Alessia Russo said Arsenal may have a target on their back after winning last season’s UEFA Women's Champions League, but added it was something they needed "to use as fuel". Russo was speaking in the wake of The Gunners' 2-1 Champions League loss to OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park in the first of their league phase fixtures. Next up for Arsenal is a WSL game against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.
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Alessia Russo feels Arsenal have a target on their back as the UEFA Women's Champions League holders, but urged her side to use it as "fuel".
The Gunners began their Champions League defence with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to record eight-time winners OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park on Tuesday in the first round of league phase games.
Arsenal took an early lead through Russo, only for Melchie Dumornay to net two goals in quick succession and inflict Renee Slegers’ side to a fourth consecutive match without victory in all competitions.
When asked if last season’s success had led to Arsenal having a target on their back, Russo told Disney+: "I think so. 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’s defeat to Lyonnes follows on from a 3-2 WSL defeat by Manchester City on Saturday.
Slegers' side face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday before returning to Lisbon - the city in which they lifted the Champions League trophy in May - to take on Benfica in the second of their league phase fixtures.
"I think at the moment we're in a bit of a blip, but we're aware of that," Russo continued. "I think at times tonight we saw what we're capable of, but it's just about doing that and making sure we get results as well.
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"I think there's lots to it. I think, first and foremost, we need to look at ourselves and how we can push our standards.
"We're sometimes letting teams get attacks on us by our own mistakes. We need to take accountability, we need to focus on what we can do to control that from everyone, it's all across the pitch.
"There's moments in that that were really positive so we'll lean on that and get ready for Sunday."
Arsenal captain Little echoed Russo's comments about Arsenal making troubling "mistakes," but found room for positivity in her side's performance.
"We wanted to come away with something from this match to start our Champions League campaign off," Little said. "I do think there are lots of great positives to take, especially after our previous performances in the league.
"We obviously made mistakes in the start of the game but I think we showed a lot of resilience to stick in it and create opportunities until the end. Ultimately we are disappointed."
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The 2025/26 season is the first in which the league phase system has been implemented in the Women's Champions League, and Little explained how it has led to matches having a greater feeling of importance.
"It's a different format playing six different teams and with that comes a cup final in every match," Little said. "Now it's just all in for all the games. It's a slightly different way of playing. We look forward to playing Benfica in our next match."
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