Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.