Arsenal’s women’s side is once again finding itself in familiar territory. Not only have both of the club’s senior squads reached the Champions League semi‑finals, but the women’s team are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyonne) in the final four for a second year running. The Gunners are now chasing consecutive 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 when the stakes are highest. In every final she has contested for Arsenal, she has helped the team lift the trophy, finding the net in three of those four occasions. "I love winning with this club and I would move mountains to make it happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates.
"As a striker, you always want to score, but in games of this magnitude there’s an extra spark that makes it special." Under the guidance of head coach Renée Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated a formidable home record, and that confidence is evident despite the disappointment of losing the first‑leg semi‑final last year before staging a comeback against the eight‑time European champions on French soil. That comeback epitomised the narrative of Arsenal’s recent campaign: an underdog side that refuses to accept defeat. This season, however, the narrative has shifted.
As defending champions, the Gunners are now the team everyone is aiming to beat. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "It hasn’t changed anything fundamentally.
We know we can win it again because we’ve done it before. The confidence is there, but I don’t feel any extra pressure compared to last season. We still work hard, we still have one goal – to reach the final." She reflected on the growth the squad has experienced since last year’s triumph.
"We learned a lot from our experiences against Real Madrid and OL Lyonne away from home. Those matches gave us a huge boost in belief. When we play at our best, we are always a side to be reckoned with." Arsenal’s attacking firepower this season has been bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The partnership between Blackstenius and Russo has flourished, largely thanks to the work of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith.
"Kelly has been instrumental in developing us as forwards," Blackstenius said. "We spend a lot of time in training fine‑tuning our link‑up play, and it shows on the pitch." She explained how their differing styles complement each other. "I like to make deep runs, stretch the defence, and create space in the box for myself and my teammates.
That’s my role and I embrace it. Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Together we make it difficult for any defence to settle." Their contrasting attributes were a key factor in Arsenal’s decision to offer Blackstenius a new contract earlier this week.
"Having more options in attack is always a plus for us," she noted. "It gives the team flexibility and depth, which is crucial in a competition as demanding as the Champions League." Blackstenius also spoke about the club’s broader environment, describing Arsenal as a "really special place".
"Since I arrived four and a half years ago, the club has evolved dramatically. The league is exciting, the supporters are passionate, and the staff create a home‑like atmosphere.
We are constantly chasing silverware in every competition we enter, and that ambition pushes us to keep improving." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. Given Blackstenius’s knack for scoring in crucial moments, it would not be surprising to see her playing a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage. Beyond the pitch, the club continues to engage fans with various initiatives, including free highlights of the Women’s Super League and streaming options that require no long‑term contracts. As the season progresses, the focus remains on delivering the best football possible, maintaining the belief that Arsenal can once again lift the European trophy.
In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this semi‑final with a blend of experience, confidence, and a hunger for back‑to‑back glory. With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo providing a complementary goal threat, and Kelly Smith shaping the attacking unit, the Gunners are poised to be a formidable opponent for OL Lyonne. Whether the match ends in a familiar comeback or a new chapter of dominance, Arsenal’s resolve to win remains unwavering, and fans can expect an exciting, high‑quality contest as the tournament reaches its climax.