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Russo and Blackstenius help Arsenal beat Leicester

Arsenal players celebrateGetty Images

At a glance

Blackstenius scores twice and sets up another as Arsenal ease to win

Arsenal win third straight game in all competitions after early-season dip

Leicester score fourth goal of season but still lacking in attack

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist

Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius ran riot as Arsenal won a third consecutive match in all competitions by thrashing Leicester City in the Women's Super League.

Russo opened the scoring with a close-range strike before Leicester defender Sari Kees turned into her own net and Blackstenius finished off a superb team move to put Arsenal out of sight by half-time.

Leicester substitute Noemie Mouchon pulled a goal back with a brilliant late solo effort, but a minute later Blackstenius scored her second.

The 2,000-strong contingent of Arsenal fans made plenty of noise at the King Power Stadium and were treated to a ruthlessly slick performance reminiscent of the side that charged to Champions League glory last season.

Playing in a withdrawn role behind Blackstenius, Russo was on hand to convert when her team-mate miscontrolled a low cross.

Both missed glorious opportunities before Kees converted a cross past her own goalkeeper with Caitlin Foord breathing down her neck.

Blackstenius ended her five-game goal drought nine minutes before half-time when she swept in from Beth Mead's cross following a slick move involving Mariona Caldentey.

After failing to attempt a shot in the first half, Leicester should have pulled a goal back shortly after the break but substitute Mouchon shot straight at Daphne van Domselaar after outsmarting Laia Codina.

Mouchon made amends when she surged from within her own half to score, but Blackstenius grabbed a second with a trademark run in behind the defence and a powerful finish into the roof of the net.

After a run of four games without a win earlier in the season, Renee Slegers' Arsenal have won back-to-back WSL matches for the first time since September.

What's next for these teams?

Arsenal host Chelsea in the WSL on Saturday at 12:30 GMT, while Leicester travel to West Ham on 9 November at 12:00.

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Leicester City

Arsenal

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17J. Thibaud

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31C. Swaby

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2S. Kees

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21H. Cain

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32R. Ayane

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14H. Eiríksdóttir

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9N. Mouchon

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5E. van Egmond

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Starting XI

14D. van Domselaar

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11K. McCabe

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7S. Catley

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5Laia Codina

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24T. Hinds

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19C. Foord

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10K. Little

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8Mariona Caldentey

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9B. Mead

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23A. Russo

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25S. Blackstenius

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18C. Kelly

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26K. Reid

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