Arsenal vs Real Madrid live: Alessia Russo brace fires hosts to comeback win over Real Madrid

She continues: “I feel like I understand the nine [role] more. As a ten I really have to lock in defensively because it's such a different responsibility. I will play anywhere. I have to adapt my game a little bit, they are both different but ultimately I want to be as close to the goal as possible, in between the sticks.

Is this what they need to get their season properly off the mark? “I hope so. We go off to the international break now so people can reset and refresh ready for a massive block before Christmas. We've got Leuven and Twente but we need to win both. We have to be locked in as soon as we get back from internationals.”

Arsenal goalscorer Alessia Russo tells Disney+: "It was a really important win. We've probably not had the results that we've wanted in the last block, but it was important to come here and pick up a result tonight in the Champions League, so we are really happy.

“Maybe not pressure as such [on Arsenal as title holders] but more that our standards are really high and we want to be winning as much as possible. We know what it takes, we know we've got it in us, and I don't think we've seen it as consistently as we would have liked, so we were happy to get the win and three points.

On her first goal, she says: "When Chloe is on the pitch I know what kind of delivery she is looking to get in the box. We spoke about the areas I like to attack and the areas she likes to get the ball in, and I just got on the end of it.”

Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir tells Disney+: “Nice to score but one goal wasn't really enough. We needed a bit more in the second half. We created a few more chances but Arsenal were always in the game and came out in the second half and scored two. So I'm a little bit disappointed. We played well but it wasn't quite enough tonight. Against a tough team like Arsenal it's always going to be difficult.

“They came out really aggressive in the second half, in the wide areas especially. On the transition we were always dangerous but we didn't quite take our chances. We had a few half chances and you don't get many of them so you need to take them, and unfortunately we didn't do that tonight. Then the set piece goal is disappointing."

“As players it's really exciting,” she says of the new league phase. “Every game is different. We are playing top teams every time in this format and points, whether that is a win or draw, is so important in the table. I'm enjoying it. It's cool to play different teams. Tough games, every game is so tough, but as a player it's exciting.”

• Juventus 3-3 Lyon
• Wolfsburg 5-2 Manchester United
• Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid
• Paris FC 2-0 Benfica
• Valerenga 2-2 St Polten

Arsenal are up to eighth in the table with six points, Real Madrid down to sixth, just one point ahead.

Arsenal are back on top after a shaky start. Caroline Weir produced a moment of individual brilliance but Arsenal pulled things back in the second half, overwhelming the Real Madrid defence and just about hanging on.

Alessia Russo was superb all night and it’s her two headers that made the difference at Meadow Park.

90+5 mins: A brilliant comeback by Arsenal is complete!

90+3 mins: Arsenal counter - this is a breathless spell. A long, low ball finds Blackstenius, through on goal, but it runs away from her a little and her marker smothers.

Cooney-Cross comes off for Laia Codina as the hosts try to shore things up.

90+2 mins: Redondo sprints down the left, latching onto Weir’s ball, but her shot is poor and van Domselaar lands on it gratefully. Good chance for Real Madrid, wasted.

90 mins: FIVE minutes added on. Can Arsenal hold on?

90 mins: Arsenal continue to push. Foord lays it off for Mead on the right flank, with Fox there to make a fine overlapping run... but her shot is blocked.

Mead takes the resulting corner, but it’s too deep. Hinds collects and finds Wubben-Moy; Arsenal clear but only as far as Caldentey.