Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Alessia Russo's hat-trick against Tottenham was her first for Arsenal since joining the club in 2023
ByCiara FlemingBBC Sport journalist- Published37 minutes ago
Alessia Russo's 22-minute first-half hat-trick for Arsenal in Saturday's north London derby is a sign that she is "stepping up" at a crucial stage of the season, according to Renee Slegers.
Manager Slegers praised the England forward's maturity after she inspired the Gunners to a 5-2 win over Tottenham in the Women's Super League.
"In training, she is communicating more and instructing more, driving the team more by being more vocal. You can see that she's stepping up," Slegers told Sky Sports.
"She is also part of the leadership group at Arsenal now. She is always herself, wanting to bring her best version, and she is very humble.
"She's definitely developing that and we love to see it."
A local derby always poses an element of jeopardy, but Russo's relentless performance began eliminating Tottenham's threat inside five minutes.
She then struck twice more before the half-hour mark to all but settle the contest.
Player of the match Russo told Sky Sports: "I love to score goals as much as I can and to do it here at the Emirates in a north London derby is really nice.
"It's a good three points moving on to the rest of the season."
That victory, coupled with Manchester United's crushing defeat by neighbours Manchester City earlier on Saturday, means that the Gunners are in pole position in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
With three games to play, they sit in second place above rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, while also having two games in hand.
Captain Kim Little, who was celebrating her 400th appearance for the club, praised Russo for developing into one of the team's leaders since her arrival in 2023.
"This year, she has stepped up in terms of leadership as well. That in itself has brought out even more in her own game," Little said.
"She is always great and always going to score, but I love how she presents herself and takes that leadership responsibility."
In a fortnight where Europe-chasing rivals United drew two blanks in three league games, Arsenal hit 10 across two games to overhaul their goal difference deficit.
Of those 10 goals, Russo hit four.
She now sits third on the Women's Super League leading scorers' chart with nine goals and four assists from 18 appearances - that's a goal involvement every 1.38 games.
'I'll play anywhere - I don't care'
Image source, BBC SportThere has been plenty of talk about Russo's best position in this Arsenal team, but it seems wherever she plays, she scores.
She told Sky Sports post-match: "Now I understand the details of the 10 [role] a bit more, I find it a bit easier. Knowing what I need to do out of possession is a big one, it is a big role in the team.
"On the ball, I like both [roles] because they offer different parts of my game. I'll play anywhere - I don't care."
Against Spurs, Russo showcased the full range of her striking skillset to devastating effect.
There was a pinpoint header for the opener, a trademark channel run and rounding of Lize Kop for the second, and a press and poach from the Spurs goalkeeper's error for the third.
Three big chances, three goals. Elite numbers.
She's been doing this all season long in Europe, netting eight goals and two assists in just nine Champions League games to lead the scorers' list, ahead of Pernille Harder (seven), Ewa Pajor (six) and Alexia Putellas (six).
After sharing the WSL Golden Boot with Manchester City's Khadija Shaw last season - scoring 12 goals in 21 WSL appearances - Russo is leading the way for the Gunners in 2025-26 with nine goals, five of which have come since the turn of the year.
With the battle to qualify for Europe looking likely to go down to the wire, Russo has hit her league goalscoring stride at the perfect time.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
