There’s a certain familiarity to playing with someone in the national kit and then seeing them in the colors of your club. For Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo, that familiarity has turned into something steady, something unspoken but powerful.
It’s the start of another training day at Arsenal, and the sky’s a cloudy gray typical London weather. Lotte and Alessia stand side-by-side, pulling on their training kits and lacing up their boots in silence. It’s a comfortable kind of quiet, the kind shared between people who understand each other, who’ve been through the same drills, the same battles, and have each other’s backs.
“Ready to show ‘em how it’s done, Less?” Lotte grins, nudging Alessia with her elbow as they head out onto the training pitch.
Alessia smirks, her competitive spark shining in her eyes. “Only if you’re ready to watch my back when I’m up front.”
They break into a light jog, falling into stride together as they join the rest of the team. The drills are familiar, but there’s something about being side-by-side at Arsenal that feels new and thrilling. On the national team, they’re Lionesses, representing their country, fighting together for a shared goal. Here, they’re Gunners, a new kind of unity but one that feels just as meaningful.
Lotte watches Alessia from across the pitch as she takes a powerful shot, sending the ball into the top corner. Alessia’s face breaks into a wide grin, her usual quiet confidence glowing. Lotte can’t help but shake her head in admiration. Alessia has always had that killer instinct, but there’s something even more dynamic when she’s in the Arsenal red and white.
“Lookin’ sharp, Russo!” Lotte calls, jogging over as they reset the drill.
“Same to you, Wubben-Moy,” Alessia replies, giving her a playful shoulder bump. “Think the Lionesses are starting to miss us yet?”
Lotte laughs, the thought of their national teammates bringing a pang of nostalgia. “Oh, you know they are. Bet Millie’s already organizing a reunion lunch just so we can all catch up.”
Alessia chuckles. “Wouldn’t put it past her. Probably got Leah on board, too.”
As they move on to a scrimmage, Lotte and Alessia fall naturally into sync. Every pass, every play, they seem to anticipate each other’s movements without a second thought. Alessia makes a sprint down the right flank, and Lotte knows exactly where she’s going to be, sending a precise pass that lands perfectly in front of her.
Alessia takes a deft touch, then drives forward, outpacing the defenders and taking her shot. The ball soars into the net, and the team erupts in cheers. Alessia jogs back, a gleam in her eye, and holds out a fist to Lotte.
“See?” she says. “This is what happens when you put a Lioness and a Gunner on the same team.”
Lotte laughs, bumping Alessia’s fist. “Correction two Lionesses and two Gunners. We’re just getting started.”
After practice, they both linger on the pitch, the floodlights casting a golden glow over the field. The day’s work is done, but neither of them is quite ready to leave. Standing there, under the London sky, it’s like a reminder of how far they’ve come from young girls dreaming of football, to Lionesses, to teammates in the heart of Arsenal.
Alessia glances over, her face softening. “It’s funny, isn’t it?” she murmurs. “Seeing you here, and knowing we’ve got this… connection. It’s like we’ve got two families now.”
Lotte nods, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Yeah. The kind of family where we know each other inside and out whether we’re in red or white.”
They share a long look, the unspoken words passing between them. There’s no need for anything more both of them know they’ll face every challenge, both in club and country, together.
As they walk off the pitch, side by side, they both feel it: Arsenal is home, and England is family. And in both worlds, they’re more than ready for whatever comes next.
YOU ARE READING
Arsenal Womens OneShots
FanfictionOne shots about my favourite team+some other people *Player Requests are welcome*
