Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

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

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches 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 opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.