The British female striker is experiencing the most effective season in his career in the top tournament, leading the list of goals at Women’s Super League (WSL) with Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw, who won this individual award last year.
The performance of Russo exploded under the guidance of coach Renee Slegers. Since the Arsenal coach replaced Jonas Eidevall in October, the Gunners’ striker scored an average of one goal every 108 minutes in all arenas.
Although Arsenal witnessed Chelsea raise the sixth consecutive domestic championship, the London team has reached the Champions League final. Russo is particularly assertive in the knockout qualifying round of the tournament, scoring two goals in Arsenal’s incredible reverse victory in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid, before scoring the decision in the 4-1 away victory over the European champion Lyon to win a place in the final against Barcelona.
Man City’s Khadija Shaw came second in the poll, while Russo’s teammate at Arsenal was Mariona Caldentey third, ranked on captain Millie Bright of Chelsea, who just won the championship.
President Fwa, John Cross, said: “Alessia’s performance, especially in the Champions League, is the highlight of the season. She seems to have made a great step since joining Arsenal and her comprehensive play as well as her goals made her a special player. This tournament with the Champions League final at the end of the month. ”
FWA has only awarded the best female player in 2018 in 2018. The first recipient, Fran Kirby, has twice won this title, balancing the record set by his former teammate in Chelsea, Sam Kerr. Russo became the second player of Arsenal to win this award, after Vivianne Miedema.
