Alessia Russo: More Than Just a Goal Scorer—A True Arsenal Hero
By Ciara Fleming, BBC Sport journalist
Alessia Russo is not just an exceptional player on the pitch; according to Arsenal manager Renee Slegers, she is also a remarkable person off it. When asked why she chose to start Russo instead of Stina Blackstenius against Everton, especially after Blackstenius scored the winning goal against Liverpool last week, Slegers highlighted Russo’s incredible character.
Despite the rising debate over who should lead Arsenal’s attack, Slegers trusted Russo to start the match—and Russo rewarded that confidence by netting Arsenal’s second goal in their 3-1 win. This game also marked a special milestone: Russo’s 100th appearance in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Slegers summed up Russo’s impact perfectly to Sky Sports: "We’re proud to have her in our squad. She contributes immensely both on and off the field."
This season, Russo has started every one of Arsenal’s 16 games, consistently proving why she is indispensable to both club and country. Her recent performance against Everton was a masterclass in versatility and influence, reminding everyone why she remains one of the WSL’s standout stars.
The Journey of an Unselfish Striker
Russo’s career in the WSL has been marked by her multifaceted skill set and team-oriented play. Right from her debut, she showcased this blend. Coming off the bench for Manchester United, she assisted a goal in a 5-2 victory over Birmingham City. Just in the following match, she opened her scoring tally with a goal in a dominant 3-0 win against Brighton.
Before transferring to Arsenal, Russo accumulated an impressive 27 goals and six assists in 46 league appearances for United. Since joining Arsenal, she’s maintained a stellar record, scoring roughly once every 1.86 games, while also delivering eight assists. This balance of goal-scoring and playmaking is rare and invaluable.
Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen praised this aspect after Arsenal’s win at Goodison Park: "Watching her progress has been wonderful. Her game intelligence is exceptional, and her performances are consistently high level and incredibly selfless."
Likewise, ex-England defender Laura Bassett emphasized Russo’s driving force behind Arsenal’s success: "This win wasn’t the prettiest, but Russo has been central to everything happening out there."
The Essential Team Glue
Russo’s showing against Everton almost seemed like an answer to her coach’s praise. She threaded her influence across the pitch, dominating in multiple facets of the game and earning the player of the match honor.
Her expected goals (xG) for the match was 1.0, which made up more than half of Arsenal’s total 1.95 xG that day. Out of her eight shots, four hit the target, including the goal she scored. She also led Arsenal players with 16 touches inside the opponent’s box, underlining her constant presence in crucial areas.
Many critics have unfairly focused on Russo’s goal tally compared to her teammate Blackstenius. Yet it is Russo’s comprehensive style of play that fits perfectly in Slegers’ tactical system and makes her invaluable.
England teammate Esme Morgan spoke to Sky Sports about Russo’s broader contributions: "Less is incredibly complete. She brings so much more to the team than just goals. At England, many scores follow after multiple passes involving her. We heavily depend on her."
Morgan added a powerful defense of Russo, noting the frustration at frequent critiques of her scoring record: "People overlook how much she gives and the selfless way she plays. She acts as the glue that allows our whole team to perform better."
For fans wanting to dive deeper into Women's football stories, Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie have returned with another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes release every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews and exclusive content from the Women’s Super League and beyond.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Given Russo’s all-around excellence, should goal-scoring statistics weigh less heavily when evaluating a striker’s value? Or is it fair to expect a number nine to lead by scoring more goals? What do you think—does Russo get the credit she deserves? Share your thoughts below.
