Alessia Russo struck twice against Chelsea in December when Arsenal thumped the Blues 4-1 at the Emirates [Daniela Porcelli/SPP]

ALESSIA Russo may have only worn club colours since September, but the 25-year-old has already forged a solid bond with the fans.

And as she eyes the prize ahead of a Continental Cup final clash with Chelsea on Sunday, Arsenal’s No 23 is convinced the team’s supporters will “show up” and do their bit to back them.

“They are a massive part of us as a team and us as a culture at this club,” Russo told the New Journal. “Every single time we’ve played this season we’ve heard them and we’ve felt them through every high and low. They’re on this emotional rollercoaster with us and feel the losses like we do. We fully are grateful for them.”

Striker Russo has enjoyed a glittering career with England and boasts an Under-20 World Cup bronze, while at senior level she has a European championship gold and World Cup silver in her locker.

But the Kent-born attacker is yet to lift a major trophy at club level, despite coming agonisingly close last May as part of the Manchester United side that lost 1-0 to Emma Hayes’ Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

Now Russo has a chance to go again against the Blues and has already done her bit on Arsenal’s road to the showpiece, scoring against Spurs, London City Lionesses and Aston Villa.

The most successful side in England during their trophy-laden years under manager Vic Akers, Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal managed to pip Chelsea to the League Cup title last season.

It was a welcome result given that silverware has been in short supply more recently, but speaking at a press preview at London Colney, Russo said the success of past generations acts as motivation for this one.

“Everyone always says it, pressure is a privilege and I really think that this club deserves to be in those pressure moments,” she said. “The club has had such a successful past and we’re the future, so we just need to keep pushing it in the right direction.”

A former Chelsea development team captain, Russo has a decent record against her old club, having netted four in six Women’s Super League match-ups with the Blues during her career. Twice on target against their London rivals in a thumping 4-1 WSL win in front of more than 59,000 fans at the Emirates in December, she was unable to make an impact after coming on as a half-time substitute in their humbling 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Russo admitted that that recent defeat stung, but she is confident the Gunners can defend their title against a Chelsea side chasing silverware on four fronts.

“It wasn’t to our standards and we know that as players,” she said, adding: “We’ll be ready to go when the game comes around.

“Anything can happen in a cup final. I’ve been on the winning side and the losing side of finals. It’s not nice losing, but the feeling of winning is great.”

Arsenal had to come back from behind against Aston Villa to eke out a 3-1 win on Sunday. It took Victoria Pelova’s equaliser and late goals from Lotte Wubben-Moy and Stina Blackstenius to pull Eidevall’s side back from the brink.

Chelsea have endured a busier run-up. They hosted Ajax in the Champions League last night (Wednesday) having beaten West Ham 2-0 at the weekend to maintain their place at the top of the WSL table.

• Kick-off for the Conti Cup final on Sunday is 3pm and the match is live on BBC Two. Complimentary coach place tickets are available until midday today (Thursday) visit arsenal.com for more information. For match day tickets visit wolves.co.uk