Russo 'stepping up' as Arsenal lead hunt for European places
Player of the match Russo told Sky Sports: "I love to score goals as much as I can and to do it here at the Emirates in a north London derby is really nice. "It's a good three points moving on to the rest of the season. " That victory, coupled with Manchester United's crushing defeat by neighbours Manchester City earlier on Saturday, means that the Gunners are in pole position in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
With three games to play, they sit in second place above rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, while also having two games in hand. Captain Kim Little, who was celebrating her 400th appearance for the club, praised Russo for developing into one of the team's leaders since her arrival in 2023. "This year, she has stepped up in terms of leadership as well.
That in itself has brought out even more in her own game," Little said. "She is always great and always going to score, but I love how she presents herself and takes that leadership responsibility. " In a fortnight where Europe-chasing rivals United drew two blanks in three league games, Arsenal hit 10 across two games to overhaul their goal difference deficit.
She now sits third on the Women's Super League leading scorers' chart with nine goals and four assists from 18 appearances - that's a goal involvement every 1. 38 games. Alessia Russo's hat-trick against Tottenham was her first for Arsenal since joining the club in 2023 There has been plenty of talk about Russo's best position in this Arsenal team, but it seems wherever she plays, she scores.
She told Sky Sports post-match: "Now I understand the details of the 10 [role] a bit more, I find it a bit easier. Knowing what I need to do out of possession is a big one, it is a big role in the team. "On the ball, I like both [roles] because they offer different parts of my game.