Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League 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 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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 past year:

"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.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

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 really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against 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 whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. 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 winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one 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 she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

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

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

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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 turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.