Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net 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 honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

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 Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. 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 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."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 trusted the game plan 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 retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide 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 penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals 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 tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.