Arsenal sign Alessia Russo on free transfer following Manchester United release

So exciting. Today's been amazing. Meeting everyone, settling in and yeah really excited to be here now and can't wait to get going. This has no doubt been a big decision for you to make so what is it about the project that we're building here that really made you want to be a part of it? I think you can see it from last season and even the history that the club's got to go on and win trophies and perform and yeah time for a new challenge. I'm really excited to get going, get into Champions League and into the league next season and just the fight from the team and everything that they had thrown against them last season. I think that they did amazing and I can't wait to be a part of it. For you personally, three years of playing in the WSL, you've proven yourself to be one of the league's most clinical forwards but what do you think now is needed to take your game to that next level? I think lots more to come hopefully. I want to keep pushing myself as a player and learning and competing with other top players too which I'm really excited for. I want to score more goals, assist more goals and just add to the team in as many ways as I can. Playing in the Champions League, probably a big part of your decision as well there. How much are you looking forward to testing yourself against Europe's elite? Can't wait. I think Champions League is something that you always want to play in as a young kid so yeah so excited for that. Them games to start rolling around, get stuck in there and hopefully have a really successful season and just yeah get involved and getting amongst it. Be safe to say that this isn't the world's best kept secret. I think even Caitlin Ford was fooled by a fake announcement over the weekend. Is it nice for you to just get this out there and for the world to know? Yeah it's been really nice and coming in today has made me even more excited for it. It's really nice to kind of have your sights set now and know what's coming up and get really focused obviously on the World Cup coming up but then know that you're coming back to Arsenal ready for a big year. Yeah big move this. Let's get some reaction to Russo's big move to the Emirates Stadium with former Arsenal striker Leanne Sanderson all the way from New York. Leanne thanks so much for joining us. Just put into context how big a signing this is for Arsenal. Well it's a massive signing Dharmesh. I'm actually on vacation kind of somewhat working in New York and when I got the call to talk about this it was never in doubt I was going to come on and talk about it. I mean people that know me will know I'm a Manchester United fan but from a playing perspective my allegiance is live with Arsenal and I'm delighted. I love Alessia. I think she's a top girl and I think this signing makes sense and I think the fact that she's done it before the World Cup is massive. I think it's probably the biggest kept worst kept secret. I think everybody thought this was going to happen but now it's got over the line and the breaking news is broken at four o'clock. I think it's exciting and it makes sense and I think you can really take Arsenal to another level. I mean Miedema and Russo up top. How incredible is that going to be? You mentioned Miedema. Beth Mead as well. How's she actually going to fit in to this attack Alessia Russo? Oh they'll find a way. They have to find a way. They will find a way and I think with these types of signings it's massive. I think it's a massive loss for Manchester United women obviously. They're on their incline. I think you know they're in a good place making the FA Cup final last year. Missing out on the league and obviously they put in this bid in the summer for Alessia Russo and then Manchester United declined it. Now she's gone on a freeze. So is that really good business? I'm not quite sure but I'm delighted for Alessia. I think it's a really good move for her and I think it can possibly take her game to another level but I think she'll certainly be in a team that more suits her style, her style of play. You know the game the other day when England played against Portugal, Rachel Daly started in that game. I don't think that means that she's going to start necessarily in the World Cup but she's been brilliant in the league and Alessia Russo will know that she wants that starting spot for England as well and I think this can take it to another level. Arsenal are still one of the biggest clubs in the world. When I was there we were the best and I'm looking forward to Arsenal continuing to get back to the way we used to be.