Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"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 the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

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

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that 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 father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.