The Gunners flexed their muscles during Sunday evening’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash with Bristol City, after a five-goal run left a struggling Robins side with a growing pile of questions as the league campaign draws to a close.

Despite what was a collective showcase of strength for the Gunners, a stellar individual performance came in the form of Alessia Russo, as the England striker garnered herself a brace for her efforts across the ninety minutes.

The Halfway Line had the chance to speak to Russo after the performance in Borehamwood, as the Gunners number 23 digested what she made of Arsenal’s performance in Borehamwood.

“It is tough after international break, because you only have a few days. I think we played some really nice football throughout the game, but we started very fast as well. It’s important, especially against teams that sit deep, because sometimes you can become a bit frustrated as the game gets on. So, to score early and be clinical with our chances was really important tonight.”

Despite her cross-field efforts that so often go unnoticed, Russo additionally flexed her scoring muscles against the Robins, after two superb finishes gave the Gunners their fourth and fifth of the evening.

Speaking on the feeling that arrived as she reaps the rewards on the scoresheet, Russo reflected “Yeah it’s nice- I mean, I love scoring. I would love to do it every week and I can keep trying and working hard, but it’s unbelievable to get on the scoresheet.”

To the excitement of Arsenal fans whom may have been seen to be calling out for the tactical implementation, Sunday’s meeting with Bristol City saw Jonas Eidevall opt to start both Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius’s firing form saw her occupy the 9 role in a 4-3-3 formation, whilst Russo dropped deeper to play the part of a floating 10.

Reflecting on her role on the evening, Russo expressed “I mean, I’m happy to play anywhere on the pitch, I don’t care where. But, it’s great- I love playing with Stina, I love playing with all of the forwards we have in this team. We’re all so different, so I think the more that we play with each other, the more that we can try and compliment things.”

Russo packed on the individual praise for her teammates, as Laura Wienroither made her return to the pitch after a gruelling spell on the sidelines since rupturing her ACL in the latter stages of last season.

Expressing her excitement in Wienroither’s return, Russo beamed “It was so nice. She’s been working so hard, I’ve only seen a portion of it, but what I’ve seen is incredible. Watching all the girls who have come back from a long injury, it’s just such a nice moment for them to be back out on the pitch. With all the fans, back at home- she thoroughly deserved it and when she came on, she did great.”

Another notable performance in the 5-0 feat over Bristol City came in the form of the debut appearance for Arsenal academy graduate, Katie Reid.

Russo grabbed at the chance to praise the young defender, expressing “Honestly, she is one of the loveliest kids. She’s been great since she’s come in- she went on loan to Watford and now she’s back with us full time and ever since she’s been back in, her game is getting better every week, and I tell her that all the time. She’s quite shy, but she’s slowly coming out of her shell, but you could see it tonight! Her confidence on the ball, she’s got a lot of bright future ahead of her.”

As the sun sets on a campaign of excitement in the Barclays Women’s Super League, Alessia Russo’s first season in North London, too, draws to a close. Arsenal’s number 23 has been warmly welcomed by the red and white army, and she reflected on how she has found the start of her journey with the Gunners.

“It’s been great, I can’t believe how quick it’s gone. It’s been great- I’m loving it, I’m learning new things every day, I feel like I’m developing different things in my game which is important. When you come into a new environment it means you have to challenge yourself, and you go in a little bit uncomfortable, but I feel like it’s good to be challenged, it’s good to learn new styles, so I’m loving it.”

Leaving one final note on how the Gunners search to close out their 2023/24 campaign, Russo assured “We want to keep pushing, and we know we’ve now got four massive games left, and we’ll keep fighting until the very last.”

Alessia Russo is back in action for the Gunners this Sunday, as Arsenal return to Emirates Stadium to host Leicester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.