Alessia Russo and Beth Mead on north London derby against Spurs and Gunner Girls documentary

Alessia Russo and Beth Mead surprised members of Arsenal's U9 community girls teams as the club launched their new documentary series 'Gunner Girls', saying it was 'great to be part of their journey' when meeting the youngsters.

Gunner Girls documents the mentoring of a local girls teams as Arsenal honours their community roots, where young players are supported in their first steps in football by players from the women's senior team, including Russo and Mead.

Arsenal themselves were founded by partnering with a local community team, Aylesbury Ladies in 1987 after amalgamating a programme for women and girls to play football in the town.

Russo, who recently totted up 100 appearances for the club, was quick to honour the humility of such days amid the players' hectic schedule as they continue to play in three competitions.

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"When you do things like this, it brings you back down," she told Sky Sports News. "Our world is crazy these days and we are so thankful for that, but when you get to do stuff like this, inspiring the next generation and seeing the girls, it means a little bit more."

The Gunners take on north London rivals Tottenham on Saturday in the WSL, live on Sky Sports. Spurs visit the Emirates after a 0-0 draw at Brisbane Road in November, with boss Martin Ho turning them into a formidable force this term.

Russo said of the game: "When I came to the club, I heard from Leah [Williamson], Lotte [Wubben-Moy] and Kim [Little] about what this game means and the weight it carries. We are excited for it to be at the Emirates, with all our fans there, it'll be a special day."

Arsenal have one of the largest and most vocal fanbases in the WSL and Mead knows they will again show up to help the Gunners this weekend.

She told Sky Sports News: "Keep being amazing - we've got the best fans in the world.

"They follow us home and away and you hear them, you know where they are and to be able to have them at the North London derby at the Emirates, keep that rivalry growing between us and the fans, it'll be fun."

There are sure to be some Gunner Girls - aspiring or otherwise - in the crowd on Saturday. Arsenal in the Communities women and girls coordinator, Billie Graham, was explained why programme was set up and its importance.

"Gunner Girls consists of nine novice girls who attended our Premier League programme," she told Sky Sports News.

"They had never played in a team before, but we put them together with four of our Arsenal Women first team players to capture and follow their journey.

"The staff really care and the players really care. Arsenal Ladies started in the community, and it's never left. We filmed this last year when Arsenal won the Champions League, and our players were winning the Euros with England - they still made time.

"Having their backing and belief and having female role models is massive. I know the players are big on it too because they also never had the opportunity for girls only teams when they were younger."

Watch Arsenal vs Tottenham in the WSL live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 5pm; kick off 5.30pm.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Alessia Russo and Beth Mead on north London derby against Spurs and Gunner Girls documentary