Russo marks WSL milestone as Arsenal maintain faith in first-choice forward

Arsenal manager Renée Slegers has once again underlined her trust in Alessia Russo after the England striker rewarded her selection with a goal in a 3-1 victory over Everton, marking her 100th appearance in the Women’s Super League, Sport360NG reports.

Questions had been raised over Slegers’ decision to start Russo ahead of Stina Blackstenius, who scored a decisive late winner from the bench against Liverpool last week. However, the Arsenal boss resisted calls for change, keeping faith with her preferred number nine.

Russo justified that confidence by netting Arsenal’s second goal at Goodison Park and delivering an influential all-round display in a comfortable win. Speaking to Sky Sports, Slegers praised the striker’s wider contribution, describing her as “a fantastic human” and highlighting her impact both on and off the pitch.

The 25-year-old has now started all 16 of Arsenal’s matches this season, further reinforcing her status as a central figure in Slegers’ system. Her performance against Everton once again showcased the qualities that have made her increasingly indispensable at club and international level.

Russo’s WSL career has been defined by versatility and consistency. She registered an assist on her league debut for Manchester United and opened her scoring account the following week, going on to record 27 goals and six assists in 46 appearances before her move to north London.

Since joining Arsenal, she has maintained an impressive output, averaging a goal almost every two league games while also contributing eight assists, a reflection of her balance between finishing and creative responsibility.

Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen praised Russo’s development, citing her intelligence and unselfishness, while ex-defender Laura Bassett credited her with driving Arsenal to victory, even in what she described as a gritty rather than fluent performance.

At Goodison Park, Russo was at the heart of Arsenal’s attacking threat. She accounted for more than half of the team’s expected goals, tested the goalkeeper repeatedly and was the most frequent presence in Everton’s penalty area. Her display earned her the player-of-the-match award.

While comparisons with Blackstenius often focus on raw goal totals, Russo’s value extends far beyond the scoresheet. England team-mate Esme Morgan described her as a complete forward whose involvement often begins moves long before they are finished.

Morgan also defended Russo against criticism, stressing that her selfless style and tactical importance allow others around her to thrive. “She’s the glue that makes the team function,” she said, a description that was fully borne out by another commanding performance in Arsenal colours.