How Blackstenius and Russo delivered perfect performances to down Chelsea
The Arsenal duo were critical to Gunners' 3-1 victory in Champions League quarter-final first leg
Arsenal have struck the first blow in this season’s all-London Champions League quarter-final tie, beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
In a game that provided a great advert for what the WSL can offer, and a not-so-great advert for Uefa’s officiating, it was Arsenal’s centre-forward duo of Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius that stole the show on the pitch.
After a dominant start to the match from Chelsea, Arsenal’s first real moment of danger came from Russo displaying the sort of link-up play for which she is famed. In the 15th minute, with Keira Walsh out of position following a turnover in possession, Russo is in space to receive on the turn, carrying the ball into the final third and playing the pass to Beth Mead.
In this situation, we see Blackstenius displaying the ying to Russo’s yang, with the Swede playing on the shoulder of Kadeisha Buchanan and stealing a march on her marker. On this occasion, Arsenal have to settle for a corner thanks to a sharp intervention from Veerle Buurman, but the manner in which the distinct qualities of Blackstenius and Russo caused Chelsea problems would be a sign of what was to come.
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