There is a palpable sense of déjà vu surrounding Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both the men’s and women’s squads reached the Champions League semi‑final stage, but the women’s side find themselves set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the final four, marking a second consecutive year of this high‑stakes encounter. The Gunners are on a mission to defend the title they secured after defeating Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a triumph in which Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius provided the decisive goal.
Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering in the biggest moments, having won every final she has contested for Arsenal and finding the net in three of those four occasions. "I love winning with this team and I would move mountains to make that happen," she told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates on Sunday. "As a forward, you always want to score, and in games of this magnitude there’s an extra something that makes it special." Arsenal’s impressive home record under manager Renee Slegers fuels their confidence, even though they suffered a first‑leg defeat in the previous year before staging a dramatic 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 – the Gunners are now the team to beat. When asked whether holding the Champions League crown has altered the squad’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "I wouldn’t say it changes anything.
We know we can win it, and having done it once, we are certain we can do it again. That belief is the foundation of our confidence, but I don’t feel we’re under more pressure than last season." She continued, "We still work tirelessly to achieve our goals.
Our sole aim is to reach the final, and we are relentless in that pursuit. The growth we have experienced since last season is massive. We didn’t always get the best results, but we turned those setbacks into motivation – think of the comebacks against Real Madrid and Lyon away from home. Those moments gave us a huge boost in confidence.
When we play at our best, Arsenal is always a team you can count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The synergy between Blackstenius and Russo has produced some of the most fluid football of their careers, a development credited in part to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith.
"Kelly has been instrumental in shaping us forwards. We spend a lot of time in training fine‑tuning our link‑up play, and it shows on the pitch," Blackstenius explained.
"We are different players, offering varied attributes, and that diversity is a strength. It allows us to adapt to different opponents and present multiple threats." She added, "My role is to make deep runs, stretch the defence, and create space both for myself and my teammates. I relish that responsibility.
Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Together we make it difficult for any back line to contain us." The partnership’s success has prompted Arsenal to secure Blackstenius on a new contract, a move announced earlier this week. The club sees her versatility and experience as vital assets as they chase further silverware. "Arsenal is a special club in so many ways," Blackstenius reflected.
"Since I arrived four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is exciting, the supporters are passionate, and the environment feels like home. We have a fantastic group of players, excellent staff, and a culture that pushes us to improve constantly." She emphasized the club’s ambition: "We want to win trophies and compete fiercely in every competition. I can see the team growing every day, and that progress is evident in everything we do." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be travelling to Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May.
Given Blackstenius’s knack for delivering in crucial moments, it would not be surprising to see her play a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage. Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding the women's game continues to rise, with free highlights and streaming options making the sport more accessible to fans worldwide.
As Arsenal prepares for what could be another historic season, the combination of seasoned leaders like Blackstenius, emerging talents such as Russo, and a supportive coaching staff creates a potent formula for success. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s side enter this semi‑final with a blend of confidence, experience, and a clear hunger for victory. Their recent performances, tactical flexibility, and the individual brilliance of players like Stina Blackstenius suggest that they are more than ready to defend their title and once again challenge Olympique Lyonnais for European supremacy.