Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius were unstoppable as Arsenal stormed to a dominant 4-1 win over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League, sealing a third straight victory in all competitions.
Russo opened the scoring early on before Leicester defender Sari Kees turned into her own net under pressure.
Blackstenius then finished off a flowing team move to give Arsenal a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time.
Leicester substitute Noemie Mouchon produced a stunning solo goal late on, but Blackstenius quickly restored Arsenal’s three-goal cushion with her second of the match.
Backed by over 2,000 travelling fans at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal delivered a ruthless display reminiscent of their best European performances last season.
Playing in a deeper role behind Blackstenius, Russo showed her instincts to slot home after her strike partner’s miscontrol.
Both forwards missed chances to extend the lead before Kees’ own goal made it 2-0.
Blackstenius ended her five-game scoring drought when she converted Beth Mead’s low cross following a sharp passing move involving Mariona Caldentey.
Leicester, who failed to register a first-half shot, improved slightly after the break.
Mouchon should have pulled one back when through on goal but shot straight at keeper Daphne van Domselaar.
She later made amends with a brilliant solo run and finish from her own half.
However, Arsenal’s response was immediate as Blackstenius broke behind the defence again and fired powerfully into the roof of the net to complete the win.
The result marks Arsenal’s first run of back-to-back league victories since September, lifting them to fifth - five points behind leaders Chelsea - while Leicester drop to third from bottom.
Manager Renee Slegers said before the match that her players “know what they’re capable of” - and they proved it with a commanding performance.
Despite being without Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith through injury and Kyra Cooney-Cross due to illness, Arsenal dominated from the start.
Blackstenius, making just her second league start of the season, repeatedly threatened with her pace and movement, while Russo thrived in a more creative role behind her.
“Both of them usually play as the nine, but they’re different types of forwards,” said Slegers.
“Today they complemented each other perfectly.”
The front line - Russo, Blackstenius, Mead, Foord, and Caldentey - looked fluid and confident, tearing Leicester apart with incisive passing and movement.
Slegers’ multiple substitutions in the second half highlighted the depth of her squad, with players like Laia Codina stepping up impressively.
With momentum returning, Arsenal’s resurgence comes at a crucial time - they now face Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Tottenham, and Real Madrid in an intense 11-day stretch that could define their season.
