Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius joined the Lionesses striker on the scoresheet as the visitors finally won back-to-back WSL games
When the north London derby came to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year, it was an historic day for the hosts. Martha Thomas' goal secured a first-ever win over Arsenal for Spurs, and there were several Gunners who returned to the scene of that miserable afternoon on Saturday who must have shuddered at the memories brought back. But any fears of a similarly disappointing result were alleviated with little more than 60 seconds played, as Alessia Russo's early goal helped kickstart an important 3-0 victory for Arsenal – securing back-to-back wins in the Women's Super League for the first time this season.
It's been a tough start to the campaign for the Gunners, with Jonas Eidevall resigning from his head coach role last month after a string of poor results. However, interim boss Renee Slegers has helped steady the ship, with this a fourth win in five games under her charge. Included in that revival has been a fantastic run of form for Russo, who didn't score in any of Arsenal's first five WSL games. On Saturday, she bagged her third goal in her last three league outings to break the deadlock inside two minutes.
When Frida Maanum doubled that lead 20 minutes later, it put the visitors in firm control of proceedings, a status they held for the majority of the game. There were flashes from Spurs, most notably when Beth England forced Daphne van Domselaar into a good save from range, but not enough to really trouble the Gunners and get back into a game that was all-but-over when Stina Blackstenius came off the bench to add a third just past the hour.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):
A few iffy moments in possession but kept out all that Spurs threw at her.
Emily Fox (7/10):
Got forward well to be a real asset in attack.
Leah Williamson (8/10):
After some rocky recent form, she looked much more like herself here, both in possession and defensively.
Steph Catley (7/10):
Really solid display. Didn't do much wrong at all.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Not perfect in defence but grew into a particularly influential player in attack as the game progressed.
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Lia Walti (7/10):
Kept things ticking over nicely at the base of the midfield, without stealing the show.
Kim Little (7/10):
Had a strong influence on the attack and was often involved in Arsenal's best play, before being subbed off at the break.
Frida Maanum (8/10):
Really positive performance, with numerous chances created and a great goal scored.
Getty ImagesAttack
Caitlin Foord (6/10):
Had a few nice moments but was kept relatively quiet before going off just past the hour.
Alessia Russo (8/10):
Took her goal brilliantly and that set the done for a great display, which included some fantastic movement and nice involvement in build-up play.
Mariona Caldentey (7/10):
Always kept Spurs on their toes with her ability to dance past defenders and get into good positions. Sublime touch to set up Blackstenius for her goal.
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Kyra Cooney-Cross (6/10):
Settled into the game nicely after coming on at half time, with some tidy and creative contributions in possession.
Beth Mead (5/10):
Couldn't really get involved much despite having around half an hour to do so.
Stina Blackstenius (7/10):
Had been on the pitch just two minutes when she made a great run and coupled it with a cool finish for 3-0.
Rosa Kafaji (N/A):
On in the closing stages to give Caldentey a deserved rest.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (N/A):
Made her return from injury in the final few minutes.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
Managed her substitutions well in the midweek win over Juventus and that paid dividends here, with Maanum and Russo among those who looked like they had benefited from not playing the full 90 minutes in Italy.