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Arsenal are starting to find form at just the right time. On Sunday, Renée Slegers' side beat London City Lionesses 2-0 at Hayes Lane, thanks to an early goal from Olivia Smith and then a late one scored by Stina Blackstenius. Neither, though, were awarded the player of the match trophy at full time, this given to Alessia Russo on a landmark day for the striker.
This weekend's WSL victory was Russo's 100th appearance for Arsenal since making the surprise move from Manchester United as a free agent in 2023. Well, she marked it by being named player of the match for the sixth time in only 16 WSL matches this season. The numbers support just how important the 27 year old has been throughout this season.
Statistics | Alessia Russo | Arsenal rank |
|---|---|---|
Minutes played | 2,260 | 1st |
Total goals | 14 | 1st |
UWCL goals | 7 | 1st |
WSL goals | 5 | 2nd |
Assists | 6 | 2nd |
Shots | 75 | 1st |
Shots on target | 31 | 1st |
Big chances missed | 6 | 2nd |
Average match rating | 7.36 | 2nd |
Russo leads the way at Arsenal this season for a wide-variety of attacking metrics. The England international has played the most minutes, scored the most goals and registered, by a substantial distance, the most shots. Seven of her 14 goals have come in the Champions League, including a brace against Real Madrid in Borehamwood and three across the two legged demolition of Oud-Heverlee Leuven.
Thus, only Blackstenius has scored more WSL goals, while Russo is second only to Beth Mead when it comes to assists. In total, having now made 100 Arsenal appearances, she has 50 goals to her name, which is a pretty impressive ratio. So now, Arsenal will need her impressive form to continue given that there are plenty of crucial games coming up.
Arsenal's upcoming fixtures
- Saturday 21 March. West Ham United (H). WSL. Kick off noon.
- Tuesday 24 March. Chelsea (H). Champions League quarter-final 1st leg. Kick off 8pm.
- Saturday 28 March. Tottenham Hotspur (H). WSL. Kick off 5:30pm.
- Wednesday 1 April. Chelsea (A). Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg. Kick off 8pm.
- Sunday 5 April. Brighton & Hove Albion (H). FA Cup quarter-final. Kick off 1pm.
In the space of a fortnight, Slegers' side face five fixtures across three competitions that could be season-defining. In the WSL, the Gunners are currently unbeaten in ten, dating back to 4 October, winning five of the last six. Despite this, they sit fourth, one point below Chelsea and two adrift Manchester United, needing to gatecrash the top three to secure Champions League qualification. Thus, both the fixtures against West Ham and Spurs at Emirates Stadium are must win.
Speaking of the Champions League, Arsenal are dreaming of retaining the trophy they hoisted aloft in Lisbon last May. To remain on track to do so in Oslo, they'll have to oust fierce rivals Chelsea, with the first leg in North London before venturing to Stamford Bridge on April Fool's Day.
Lastly, just before the international break, the Gunners will welcome Brighton to Meadow Park for an FA Cup quarter-final. Arsenal are the record 14-times FA Cup winners, but have not won the cup for a decade, seeking to reach a first final since 2021. Thus, with games coming thick and fast, Slegers will need her big-hitters firing on all cylinders, and that certainly includes in-form Russo in attack.