The England striker scored the only goal of the game as Jonas Eidevall's side closed the gap on league leaders Manchester City to three points
Arsenal haven't enjoyed the challenge of breaking down defensively-minded teams this season. Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham have all picked up shock wins because of the Gunners' difficulties in the final third and at times on Sunday, it looked like Spurs might be able to turn that first-ever win against their north London rivals into a maiden league double over them. But there is a reason why those who have played alongside Kim Little wax lyrical about her, and it was the captain's superb pass that unlocked the Spurs defence and allowed Alessia Russo to score the goal that gave Arsenal an important 1-0 win.
It was actually Tottenham who came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half. Martha Thomas, whose goal defeated Arsenal back in December, tested Manuela Zinsberger in the home goal in the opening stages before Jessica Naz forced an even more impressive stop out of her, the England youth international seeing her strike tipped onto the bar by the Austrian just before the half-hour mark.
It was the stand-out moment in a rather uneventful affair which saw Arsenal dominate but struggle to turn their possession into chances. That was until a few minutes after half time when Little's picked out Beth Mead and the ball rather fortuitously fell to Russo, who made no mistake with an emphatic finish inside the six-yard box. That proved to be the difference as the Gunners got the revenge they were looking for and a win that keeps their Women's Super League title dream alive, leaders Manchester City are now three points ahead with seven games to go.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Manuela Zinsberger (7/10):
Made good stops to deny Thomas and Naz in the first half. Nothing else to do.
Katie McCabe (5/10):
Had a lot of the ball but couldn't do much with it to help Arsenal break Spurs down. Picked up another needless booking.
Laia Codina (6/10):
A more assured performance after a shaky one against Man Utd just before the international break.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):
Perfect interception to stop Clinton's through ball reaching Bizet early on. Good in possession. Unfortunate to be booked.
Steph Catley (6/10):
Linked up well with Foord down the left. Set pieces were below her usual standard, though.
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Lia Walti (6/10):
Solid on the ball in that deeper midfield role.
Victoria Pelova (5/10):
Had a good chance towards the end of the first half but waited too long to strike. Struggled to get involved otherwise.
Kim Little (8/10):
Arsenal's most creative player with her passing in the final third. It was her sublime ball that carved Spurs open for Russo's goal.
GettyAttack
Beth Mead (5/10):
In good space to play her role in Russo's goal but generally lacked quality in her end product.
Alessia Russo (7/10):
In the right place in the right time to break the deadlock.
Caitlin Foord (7/10):
An absolute menace down the left with her skill and mazy dribbling.
GettySubs & Manager
Stina Blackstenius (N/A):
Had around 15 minutes or so to make an impact but didn't receive any service in that time.
Leah Williamson (N/A):
Returned from a hamstring issue to help Arsenal see the game out.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):
Played her part in a short appearance from the bench.
Frida Maanum (N/A):
Only on for the final few minutes.
Jonas Eidevall (6/10):
Arsenal got the win in the end but this was another game where they struggled to break down a team that wanted to play on the counter. It's a recurring issue this season which Eidevall doesn't seem to have figured out the exact answer to yet.
