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We made it 11 wins in a row in all competitions with a 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s north London derby, in front of a crowd of 46,123.

Alessia Russo scored twice in the first seven minutes before our local rivals pulled one back through a Frida Maanum own goal, but Russo completed her hat-trick in the 27th minute to restore our two-goal lead.

Caitlin Foord buried our fourth from a terrific Smilla Holmberg delivery to secure the bragging rights in style, with Bethany England’s late strike a mere consolation. Stina Blackstenius got in on the act late on to end the game three goals ahead.

The win means we’re still fourth in the Barclays Women’s Super League, two points behind Chelsea and three shy of Manchester United, but we do have multiple games in hand.

FIRST HALF

Our attacking intent was evident right from the off as a Russo shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Molly Bartrip and behind for a corner, and it was from the following set-piece that Russo headed home courtesy of Katie McCabe’s inswinging delivery.

It was 2-0 just two minutes later, Olivia Smith poking the ball through to Russo, who took it around Lize Kop and rolled a shot inside the far post for 2-0.

Continuing to look dangerous, Russo then received the ball from Frida Maanum and went for goal again from close range, but this time it was straight at Kop.

Spurs pulled one back in the 20th minute from a Maika Hamano corner, accidentally headed in by Maanum.

The latter was able to contribute to our third goal at the other end though, helping with Russo to put the pressure on the Spurs backline, resulting in Kop giving the ball away to our number 23, and she completed her hat-trick in the 27th minute.

SECOND HALF

We made one change at half-time, Foord coming on for Smith.

Cathinka Tandberg got a shot away early in the second half but that was blocked by Lotte Wubben-Moy for a Spurs corner, before we made our next two substitutions, with Chloe Kelly and Russo making way for Beth Mead and Blackstenius, the latter making her 150th Arsenal appearance.

It was 4-1 with just under half an hour left on the clock as Holmberg played a brilliant, deep cross towards the far post where, Foord was on hand to cut back inside and smash it in at the near post.

Victoria Pelova was introduced in place of Mariona Caldentey in the 68th minute, and Daphne van Domselaar then did really well to tip a header from England past the post that was destined for the bottom left corner.

McCabe looked to bend a free-kick over the wall and into the top right with 15 minutes to go, but it was pushed over the bar well by Kop.

Spurs pulled one back again from a tight angle as England fired past Van Domselaar and into the back of the net for 4-2. Laia Codina then came on for Kim Little, who went off to a standing ovation after celebrations surrounding her new contract and recent 400 appearance milestone, which supporters recognised with an excellent tifo ahead of kick-off.

There was still time for one more, as Pelova sent Blackstenius through on goal in the fifth minute of added time and she slotted into the bottom right for 5-2.

WHAT'S NEXT

The second leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final takes place at Stamford Bridge at 8pm on Wednesday, when we look to protect our 3-1 aggregated lead to progress to the semis.