Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

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

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 WSL goals for the club 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.

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 I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from 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 complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players 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 team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes 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 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 their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. 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."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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 convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.