ARSENAL duo Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey are on the six-person shortlist for the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award, it was announced today.

The Gunners became champions of Europe thanks to their shock win over Barcelona last month, with Russo and Caldentey two of the stars of their 2024-25 season.

Former Manchester United forward Russo scored eight times in Arsenal’s European success and was joint top scorer in the Women’s Super League with 12 goals.

Her team-mate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League.

Erin Cuthbert is flying the flag for WSL champions Chelsea, with her contributions from midfield helping the Blues end the league season unbeaten.

Manchester City duo Mary Fowler and Yui Hasegawa are also on the list, along with Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The American kept 13 clean sheets in United’s 22 WSL matches.

Meanwhile in the men’s game, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah led the six-player shortlist for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year award.

The Egyptian was instrumental in the Reds’ Premier League title success last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 18 assists.

Earlier this year he was voted footballer of the year by the Football Writers’ Association, and will now be favourite to win the vote of his peers.

He is joined on the shortlist by team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

The winners will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.