VIDEO: Alessia Russo is up and running! Lionesses star brilliantly scores Arsenal's first pre-season goal as cheeky flick catches out the Washington Spirit

There were just 10 minutes on the clock when Russo broke the deadlock in a friendly match against the NWSL side. It looked like her team-mate, Frida Maanum, was going to score when she burst into the box, until a Washington defender came across to hook the ball high into the air. As most stood and watched, waiting for it to come back down to the pitch, Russo darted in to meet it and flicked a shot beyond Aubrey Kingsbury, with the Spirit goalkeeper caught completely by surprise from six yards out.

Russo netted 12 goals in her 22 Women's Super League matches for Arsenal last season, following a summer transfer from Manchester United. Those numbers came without her completing a full pre-season for the club, due to her involvement in England's run to the Women's World Cup final, so the striker will certainly feel like she can improve on them by preparing strongly for the 2024-25 campaign.

The Gunners will face a familiar foe in their second pre-season game in the U.S., taking on London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, August 25, at Audi Field in Washington. Russo will certainly hope she can keep up her scoring against the reigning WSL champions.