Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, 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 side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.