Alessia Russo signed for Arsenal from Manchester United in 2023
Alessia Russo produced two brilliant finishes as Arsenal comfortably beat Valerenga to win their fourth Champions League game on the bounce.
Renee Slegers' side clinched progression to the quarter-finals last time out with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Emirates Stadium.
But they maintained their good form and winning run against their Norwegian opponents.
England international Russo opened the scoring in the 25th minute after cutting inside on her favoured right foot and curling beautifully into the far, bottom corner.
Russo then netted her third Champions League goal of the season after volleying home a pinpoint cross from Caitlin Foord in the 58th minute.
Either side of her double, the Gunners surged into a two-goal lead in Oslo after a fine cross from Australian Foord from the right landed at the feet of Frida Maanum and the Norwegian slotted home her fourth goal in Europe.
Valerenga did find the back of the net in the 85th minute with just their third goal in Europe this term as Tilde Lindwall smashed home from close range.
Interim boss Slegers told Uefa.com: "I think we played well throughout the game. I think we managed the game really well, the circumstances, the type of opposition; we didn't allow them much.
"With some new players on the pitch, some new partnerships, I am very proud of the team.
"This was important for us to set ourselves up for the final game to be decisive. That's why we are very happy about this."
Stina Blackstenius came within inches of adding a fourth for the visitors in the final 10 minutes but her left-footed drive struck the outside of the post.
The hosts did threaten to open scoring early on after Manuela Zinsberger's poor pass was well cut out by Olaug Tvedten, but the midfielder's powerful finish was straight at the relieved Arsenal goalkeeper.
With Bayern Munich winning 4-0 against Juventus in the other Group C tie, the Gunners know three points against the German side will confirm their spot as group winners.
Russo keeps on firing for the Gunners
After a slow start to the season, Russo is firing and looks a threat to any defence.
Her double against Valerenga took her tally for the campaign to eight in all competitions, but seven of those have come in her last five matches.
Playing on the left of a front three, Russo's selfless work-rate also helped Katie McCabe when having to defend, with the duo then looking lively when linking up in attack.
The 25-year-old's opening goal was exactly what boss Slegers would have wanted from a left-sided attacker, with a great first touch enabling the Lionesses striker to open her body and whip the ball into the far corner.
Russo's second goal emphasised a poacher's instinct after she positioned herself perfectly in the box to finish Foord's cross with aplomb.
She told Uefa.com: "I say that I am a forward, so I try to score and create as much as I can. But three points is most important tonight as we take that into the last game in the group."
With a trip to Liverpool next in the Women's Super League on Sunday, Russo has a chance to further add to her impressive recent tally - and keep third-placed Arsenal in title contention.
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