Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

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

The forward was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know 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 tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, 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. 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.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused 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 content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

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

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) 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 Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.