Who is Alessia Russo beyond the goals, the trophies and the headlines?

In Episode 25 of Arsenal Women: Trailblazers, Roberto Revilla explores the journey behind Arsenal’s number 23, from her early years in Kent and breakthrough with England to becoming one of the world’s finest centre-forwards. If you’re new to Arsenal Women, or simply want to get to know the players beyond what you see on a matchday, this is a story you won’t want to miss.

The episode also tackles one of the biggest debates in women’s football: is Arsenal really failing its young players? Following Jessie Gale’s season-long loan to Newcastle United, Roberto explores why supporters often confuse potential with readiness, why players like Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang are so exceptional, and what Arsenal’s recruitment of young talents such as Smilla Holmberg and Lisa Baum tells us about the club’s ambitions under Renée Slegers.

Finally, Mariona Caldentey’s latest BBC interview provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on Arsenal’s mentality heading into the new Women’s Super League season. Her simple four-word message – “Now is our time.” – says everything about the belief growing inside this Arsenal squad as they prepare to compete for the biggest honours once again.

Whether you’ve followed Arsenal Women for years or you’re discovering the team for the very first time, Trailblazers is here to help you understand not just the football, but the people, the stories and the culture behind one of the biggest clubs in the women’s game.

Read Suzanne Wrack's piece on Alessia Russo in The Guardian : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/06/alessia-russo-arsenal-england-wsl-football-interview

Read Joe Bradshaw's interview with Mariona Caldentey here : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c87nlvj2zy9o

Read Sylvain Jamet's match report on Arsenal's U21 and wider analysis of the academy here : https://dailycannon.com/2026/08/arsenal-women-pre-season-london-bees/

Arsenal Women: Trailblazers is a regular fan podcast dedicated to Arsenal Women. Join host Roberto Revilla every week for news, match previews and reports, tactical talking points and the stories that make Arsenal Women true trailblazers.

Connect with the show on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers

Find us on BlueSky Social @arsenalwomentb

Our new website can be found at www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com

Intro/Outro Music thanks to raspberrymusic from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal Women’s new third kit is here, Chloe Kelly has spoken openly about needing a physical and mental reset this summer, and Arsenal have quietly made an important coaching change behind the scenes.

In this episode of Arsenal Women Trailblazers, I explain why the tailor in me completely changed his mind about Arsenal’s new third kit, why Nikita Runnacles’ appointment as Arsenal’s new set-piece and goalkeeping coach could have a much bigger impact than many supporters realise, and what Geraldine Reuteler’s first major interview reveals about the culture Renée Slegers is building at Arsenal.

I also take a closer look at Chloe Kelly following her recent BBC interview, reflecting on everything she’s overcome over the past two years and addressing the online abuse and AI-generated misinformation that too many female footballers continue to face. Rather than amplifying negativity, I want to celebrate one of Arsenal’s most resilient players and discuss the kind of football community we should all be helping to build.

• My thoughts on Arsenal Women’s new 2026/27 third kit.
• Why Nikita Runnacles’ appointment could improve Arsenal at both attacking and defending set pieces.
• Geraldine Reuteler on why joining Arsenal was a dream move.
• Chloe Kelly’s recent interview and why this could be her biggest season yet.
• Why supporting players matters just as much as supporting the team.

If you enjoy independent Arsenal Women analysis that looks beyond the headlines, I’d really appreciate it if you could follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with another Arsenal supporter.

Arsenal Women: Trailblazers is a regular fan podcast dedicated to Arsenal Women. Join host Roberto Revilla every week for news, match previews and reports, tactical talking points and the stories that make Arsenal Women true trailblazers.

Connect with the show on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers

Find us on BlueSky Social @arsenalwomentb

Our new website can be found at www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com

Intro/Outro Music thanks to raspberrymusic from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Women’s Super League fixture list is finally here, and the new season suddenly feels very real.

In this week’s episode of Arsenal Women: Trailblazers, I look through Arsenal’s 2026/27 fixture list, discuss where the biggest tests and opportunities lie, and explain why I’m feeling optimistic about the campaign ahead.

I also say goodbye to Laila Harbert following her move to San Diego Wave, reflect on Chloe Kelly’s honest comments after what she describes as a difficult year, and finish by answering your questions from the Trailblazers community.

This week’s mailbag includes:

• Who should make up Arsenal’s first-choice midfield?
• Could Arsenal’s growing Spanish influence shape the way they play?
• How important is a strong start to the season?
• What should we make of the opening fixtures?
• And how does Manchester United’s squad compare with Arsenal’s heading into the new campaign?
• 
  

As always, we’re less interested in simply telling you what’s happened and much more interested in understanding why it matters.

00:00 – Cold Open

00:25 – Welcome

01:10 – Laila Harbert joins San Diego Wave

11:38 – Chloe Kelly: “I needed this summer”

21:17 – Arsenal’s 2026/27 WSL Fixtures

30:26 – Mailbag

53:00 – Outro

Arsenal Women, Arsenal Women podcast, Women’s Super League, WSL fixtures, Renée Slegers, Chloe Kelly, Laila Harbert, San Diego Wave, Arsenal transfers, Arsenal fixtures, Arsenal FC Women, Kim Little, Mariona Caldentey, Georgia Stanway, Women’s football, UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Arsenal Women: Trailblazers is a regular fan podcast dedicated to Arsenal Women. Join host Roberto Revilla every week for news, match previews and reports, tactical talking points and the stories that make Arsenal Women true trailblazers.

Connect with the show on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers

Find us on BlueSky Social @arsenalwomentb

Our new website can be found at www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com

Intro/Outro Music thanks to raspberrymusic from Pixabay

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.