Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as 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, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league 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 PFA and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"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.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"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 what it takes.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates 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 can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.