Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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 her rival striker.

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

Her name was put forward 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:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

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 game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions 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 was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. 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 defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.