Eidevall on Russo and Blackstenius' evolving roles

As our squad continues to strengthen and grow, competition for places becomes fiercer, but Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius have struck a balance as our centre forwards. 

Speaking ahead of Sunday's game against West Ham, Jonas Eidevall reflected on how Russo has settled into life in north London and where her role can develop.

"It’s always a big step when you move to another club. There are far more things to consider than only being on the pitch. You need to settle all the things in your life - how you live, the area, getting comfortable with all those things.

"Alessia works so hard. She’s such a great individual and team player to have. Do we have room for improvement for her in terms of how we can involve her more, especially in the opposing penalty area, getting more touches and shooting opportunities? Absolutely, especially when she’s playing the number 9 position.

"That has to be the aim - getting more involvement there because that’s going to lead to more goals. From a finishing perspective, she’s probably the best finisher I’ve ever worked with. I really think she can finish in a lot of different ways.

"For her, it’s more a number of how many times she can get [those opportunities] to finish, rather than the quality of what she will be doing with those opportunities."

"There are things we are working [on] with her. But from her application, the effort she’s putting into Arsenal and into improving, it’s amazing. That’s why I’m so sure she will have a great future with us.

For Blackstenius, our top goalscorer so far this season, her role has evolved into a game-finishing forward but her eye for goal remains the same.

"Stina has been really strong from a mental perspective. She makes the most out of the minutes she plays, whether that's starting or if it's finishing the game. I think that's such an important trait to have as a football player, especially in football nowadays with more competitive squads. 

"If you're both good at starting games and good at finishing games, then you can help the team in more ways. Focusing on what you can control during the minutes you get selected to play, is always going to be the most beneficial.

"I think she's she's been doing really, really well so far this season. And that helps the team massively."

Blackstenius was missing from the matchday squad on Thursday evening against Southampton but Eidevall is hopeful that she'll be available to face West Ham United.

"Stina picked up a very minor injury against Brighton and that's going to be a gameday decision if she can make it or not. We need to monitor that carefully and make the right decision."