Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League 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 my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally 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 knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. 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 agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

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

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players 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 release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.