Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player 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.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. 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 watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope 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 doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment 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 nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

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