There is a palpable feeling of déjà vu surrounding Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both of the club's senior squads reached the semi‑final stage of the UEFA Champions League, but the women’s side are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais again in the final four for a second year running. The Gunners are chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after their triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory sealed by the decisive strike of Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius.
Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest. In fact, she has featured in four Champions League finals with Arsenal and has found the net in three of those occasions, helping the team lift the trophy each time.
"I love winning with this club and I would give everything to make that happen again," she told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. "As a striker, you always want to score, and in games of this magnitude there is something extra that makes it special." Arsenal have entered the tie with a strong home record under manager Renee Slegers, and they possess a genuine belief in their ability to repeat the magic of last year – when they overturned a first‑leg deficit to defeat the eight‑time European champions on French soil.
That comeback encapsulated the narrative of Arsenal’s recent campaign: a group of underdogs who refuse to accept defeat. This season, however, they are no longer the surprise package; they have become the team that others must reckon with. "I wouldn’t say being the defending champions has changed anything," Blackstenius continued.
"We know we can do it again, and if we managed it once, we can certainly do it a second time. That confidence is what drives us, but I don’t feel we are under more pressure than last season. We still work hard every day because our sole aim is to reach the final." She added that the squad has grown significantly since their previous triumph.
"We didn’t always get the best results last year, but we fought back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnais away from home, and those experiences gave us a lot of confidence. When we play our best football, we are always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has also been a key factor in their success. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius’s teammate, currently leads the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The two forwards have blended seamlessly, delivering some of the finest football of their careers, a development that owes much to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith.
"Kelly has been instrumental in our development as forwards," Blackstenius explained. "We spend a lot of time in training working on our understanding, and it shows on the pitch. We bring different qualities to the team, which makes us versatile against a variety of opponents." She described her own role as one of stretching the defence, making deep runs, and creating space for herself and her teammates. "I love to run in behind, pull the line apart and make runs into the box.
That’s my instinct, and I’m happy to do it." Regarding Russo, Blackstenius praised her technical ability and vision. "Alessia is brilliant with the ball and excellent at setting up chances. Together we make it difficult for any defensive line to contain us." Their complementary styles were a major reason Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week, adding depth and flexibility to the squad. "Arsenal is a special club in many ways," Blackstenius reflected.
"Since I arrived four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is fun, the supporters are amazing, and the environment feels like home.
We want to win trophies and compete in every competition we enter. I can see the club continuing to grow and I want to be part of that journey." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon find themselves in Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. It would not be surprising if Blackstenius once again plays a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage.
Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding women's football continues to rise, with fans encouraged to watch free WSL highlights, stream matches without a contract, and even enter contests such as the Super 6 for a chance at a £250,000 prize. As Arsenal prepare for another showdown with OL Lyonnais, the message from Blackstenius and her teammates is clear: they are hungry, confident, and ready to add another chapter to their growing legacy.