Arsenal Women delivered a commanding performance at the Emirates Stadium on March 28, 2026, as Alessia Russo’s first-half hat-trick propelled the Gunners to a 5-2 victory over their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, in the Women’s Super League. The win not only extended Arsenal’s remarkable unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions but also lifted them back up to second place in the league standings, keeping their Champions League qualification hopes firmly alive.
Coming into this derby, Arsenal were riding high on a wave of confidence. Just days earlier, they had secured a pivotal 3-1 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with goals from Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly, and Russo herself. With the return leg looming at Stamford Bridge, manager Renée Slegers opted for some rotation, but the Gunners’ momentum showed no signs of slowing down.
The Emirates crowd barely had time to settle into their seats before Arsenal took the lead. Katie McCabe whipped in a wicked in-swinging corner, finding Russo unmarked in the box. Russo rose above the defense and powered a header into the bottom corner, giving the home side a dream start inside five minutes. The early goal set the tone for what would become a frenetic and high-scoring first half.
Just moments later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. Olivia Smith, a constant menace in midfield, turned sharply outside the penalty area and threaded a clever pass through to Russo. The England striker showed her composure, rounding Tottenham goalkeeper Lize Kop and calmly slotting the ball into an empty net. The Gunners were in cruise control, but Tottenham were determined not to be outdone.
Tottenham, who had never scored a Women’s Super League goal at the Emirates before, clawed one back midway through the half. Amanda Nilden flicked on a dangerous corner, and Cathinka Tandberg’s effort deflected off Arsenal’s Frida Maanum and past Daphne van Domselaar. The own goal briefly gave Spurs hope and marked a small slice of history for the visitors in this storied rivalry.
However, that hope was short-lived. In the 27th minute, disaster struck for Tottenham as Kop’s attempted pass went straight to Russo, who needed no second invitation. She took her time, picked her spot, and completed her hat-trick with a clinical finish. Russo’s 22-minute treble was her first for Arsenal and brought her tally up to 19 goals in all competitions this season—just one shy of her career-best.
"It’s always special to score in a derby, but getting a hat-trick at the Emirates is a dream come true," Russo told reporters after the match, her confidence evident after such a blistering display.
The second half saw Arsenal’s depth come to the fore. Slegers brought on Caitlin Foord for Smith at halftime, and the Australian international wasted no time making an impact. In the 61st minute, Smilla Holmberg—who had been a constant threat marauding down the right flank—delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post. Foord controlled the ball expertly before lashing it past Kop at the near post, ending a 12-game WSL goal drought dating back to September 12.
Tottenham, to their credit, refused to roll over. Substitute Bethany England, making her 200th WSL appearance, was lively up front and forced van Domselaar into a fine diving save shortly after coming on. In the 78th minute, Matilda Vinberg chested the ball into England’s path, and she fired a powerful shot that proved too hot for van Domselaar to handle. With that strike, England became the first Tottenham player to score at the Emirates in a North London derby—a significant milestone for the club.
Despite the late Spurs goal, Arsenal maintained their composure and continued to push forward. With the final kick of the game, substitute Stina Blackstenius—making her 150th appearance for the club—raced clear of the Tottenham defense and slotted home Arsenal’s fifth, applying the finishing touch to a dominant performance. Viktoria Pelova, another second-half substitute, provided the assist, capping off an evening where nearly every tactical decision from Slegers paid dividends.
Defensively, Arsenal were generally solid, with Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley doing well to contain Tottenham’s threats from open play. Smilla Holmberg’s attacking runs and assist for Foord earned her plaudits, while Katie McCabe was a constant outlet on the left, nearly scoring herself from a free-kick that Kop tipped over the bar.
Midfield maestro Kim Little was honored before kickoff for surpassing 400 appearances for the club and had recently signed a new one-year contract. Her leadership and experience were evident throughout, particularly when she produced a superb recovery challenge to snuff out a Tottenham counterattack. “Kim is the heartbeat of this team,” Slegers said post-match. “Her commitment and consistency set the standard for everyone.”
The victory brought Arsenal’s points tally to 38, drawing them level with third-placed Manchester United and putting them ahead on goal difference. Crucially, the Gunners have two games in hand over both United and league leaders Manchester City, who currently sit 11 points clear at the top but have played more matches. With only the top three qualifying for next season’s Champions League, every point is precious, and Arsenal’s current form could not be more timely.
Tottenham, meanwhile, remain fifth in the table, six points behind Arsenal, but will take heart from their ability to find the net against such formidable opposition. Manager Martin Ho, who recently signed a new long-term contract, will be keen to build on the positives as Spurs look to secure their joint-highest top-flight finish despite a spate of injuries to key players like Amy James-Turner and Ella Morris.
For Arsenal, the focus now shifts to the crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 1. With an 11-match winning streak and their attack firing on all cylinders, the Gunners will approach that contest with renewed belief. The Emirates crowd, who turned out in force for the derby, will be hoping for more European magic as the season reaches its dramatic climax.
Another North London derby is in the books, and Arsenal’s relentless form continues to make headlines. With Russo leading the line and a squad brimming with confidence, the Gunners’ season still holds the promise of silverware—and perhaps a little more history yet to be written.