Russo's penalty rescue keeps Arsenal alive in north London derby

Arsenal finally caught a break—literally. Alessia Russo converted a handball penalty to flip the script against Tottenham, dragging the Gunners back from behind in a match they desperately needed. Seven games in and this was only their second league win. That's the kind of stat that makes you wince.

The handball itself came off Ella Morris's arm as she was clearing the ball, the sort of decision that could go either way depending on the referee's mood. But Arsenal aren't complaining. Russo buried it, and suddenly the whole complexion of the match changed. "It's been tough," she told the BBC after the whistle. "This was an important win. It was really important and this was a great opportunity to try and turn it around."

Here's the thing though—Arsenal weren't exactly brilliant. The first half was messy, with passes going astray and intensity nowhere near where it needed to be. They tightened things up once they grabbed the lead, grinding out the kind of result you take when you're in the fight for your season. That grit in the closing stages? That's what they'll need to build on if this is actually a turning point and not just a temporary reprieve.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's new manager made an immediate impact by stopping Manchester City's winning streak cold. It's early days, but getting a result like that this quickly sets a different tone in the dressing room.

Arsenal's start has been rough enough that one win doesn't fix everything. The squad came into the season with genuine ambitions, and instead they're scratching and clawing just to stay relevant. But derby wins matter—especially when you're struggling. If Russo and Co. can build some momentum from this, maybe they've found their moment. If they slip back into old habits, well, that's when the real questions start getting asked.