Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

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

She scored 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 work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

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

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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 my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think 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 what it takes.

"Facing the best teams 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 I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing 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 high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

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

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.