'fantastic Human' Russo Shines In Arsenal Win At Everton

"Off nan transportation she is simply a awesome human," said Arsenal head Renee Slegers erstwhile questioned astir her determination to commencement Alessia Russo complete Stina Blackstenius astatine Everton.

Blackstenius came disconnected nan chair to score nan victor against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium past week, but contempt increasing questions, Slegers opted to instrumentality pinch first prime number 9 Russo.

The England striker repaid that religion by scoring Arsenal's 2nd extremity successful a comfortable 3-1 win to people her 100th Women's Super League (WSL) appearance.

Slegers told Sky Sports: "We are very happy she is playing for us. She tin do truthful galore things connected and disconnected nan pitch."

Russo has now started each 16 Arsenal games this season, and her all-round show against Everton was different reminder of why she has go indispensable for nine and country.

Russo has ever been versatile, arsenic evidenced by her extremity contributions passim her WSL career.

She provided an assistance disconnected nan chair connected her debut against Birmingham City successful a 5-2 Manchester United win, earlier opening her scoring relationship successful a 3-0 demolition of Brighton successful nan pursuing game.

Russo would spell connected to decorativeness pinch 27 goals and six assists successful 46 convention games for United earlier moving to Arsenal.

Since arriving successful northbound London, Russo has averaged a extremity each 1.86 WSL games, positive 8 assists for bully measure. A cleanable blend of goals and providing for others.

Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen summed it up connected Sky Sports aft nan crippled astatine Goodison Park, saying: "I person loved watching her trajectory. Her reference of nan crippled is 2nd to none. She churns retired these high-level performances, unselfish performances arsenic well."

Former England defender Laura Bassett added: "She has really driven this squad connected to get this win. It is not nan prettiest triumph but she has been astatine nan bosom of everything."

Russo's capacity astatine Goodison Park was delivered arsenic if she had overheard her manager's glowing pre-match praise.

She did "many things" each complete nan transportation successful a ascendant triumph for nan Gunners, and was afloat deserving of nan subordinate of nan lucifer award.

Russo registered an xG of 1, which accounted for 51.28% of Arsenal's full 1.95 xG connected Saturday afternoon, hitting nan target pinch 4 of her 8 shots, scoring once. She besides had nan astir touches of immoderate Arsenal subordinate successful nan Everton container (16).

Often maligned for her deficiency of goals compared pinch chap guardant Blackstenius, Russo's all-round play is what makes her a cardinal constituent successful Slegers' system.

England team-mate Esme Morgan explained connected Sky Sports: "Less is specified a complete player. She offers truthful overmuch to nan squad that is much than conscionable goals.

"When we play astatine England, truthful galore of nan goals we score, Less is progressive 4 aliases 5 passes earlier nan finish. We trust connected her truthful much."

Morgan added: "It is frustrating to perceive group criticise her for a deficiency of goals. She offers truthful overmuch and does it truthful selflessly. She is simply a glue for nan remainder of nan squad to usability better."