Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said Alessia Russo “is everything” after the striker’s hat-trick sealed a 3-0 victory over Benfica and made her England’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Women’s Champions League.
The 27-year-old struck in the 39th minute with a sublime sweeping finish for her 21st goal in the competition, which put her level alongside former Chelsea forward Fran Kirby.
But she soon claimed the standalone record with a glancing header from a corner to ensure Arsenal secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Russo then rounded off the perfect evening at Meadow Park with her third, converting from the penalty spot to take her tally to 23 goals in Europe.
“She is everything. It’s hard to know where to start,” Slegers told Disney+.
“She is such a humble, nice human being, really good, cares for everything and everyone, does everything to the fullest.
“There is so much to say about Alessia and it is a privilege for me to work with her.”
After a slow start to the season that saw her blank in her first five matches, Russo has now scored nine goals in her past seven games for club and country.
“It feels really nice. I love playing in the Champions League and I love scoring goals,” Russo told Uefa.
“It was really good to get the win. To score a hat-trick is really special.”
Caitlin Foord, who had won the penalty for Arsenal when she was brought down by Catarina Amado, thought she had scored a late fourth for the Gunners, but it was ruled out for offside following a quick check by the Video Assistant Referee.
“It’s incredible for Less, I am so happy for her,” Foord said of Russo’s hat-trick on Disney+.
“She’s been pushing and pushing to get goals and to get three tonight – I’m not surprised. I see her do it every day in training.”