There is a palpable sense of déjà vu surrounding Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both the men’s and women’s senior squads reached the Champions League semi‑final stage, but the women’s side are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the final four, marking a second consecutive year of this high‑stakes encounter. The Gunners are chasing a back‑to‑back European crown after their dramatic triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory that was sealed by the decisive strike of Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius.
Blackstenius has earned a reputation for delivering when the stakes are highest; she has featured in four finals with Arsenal and has found the net in three of those decisive matches. "I love winning with this team and I would do anything to make it happen," she told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of Sunday’s first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a striker, you always want to score, and in big games there’s something extra about it." Arsenal have built a formidable home record under manager Renee Slegers, and that confidence is evident despite the fact that they lost 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: the underdogs who never accept defeat. This time, however, the narrative has shifted and the team now finds itself as the one to beat.
When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team’s mindset, Blackstenius responded, "I wouldn’t say it’s changed anything. We know we can achieve it, and if we’ve done it once, we can certainly do it again.
That confidence is ingrained in us, but I don’t feel we’re under more pressure than last season. We still work incredibly hard because our sole aim is to reach the final." She added that the squad has grown immensely since the previous season, citing the comeback victories against Real Madrid and Lyon on the road as pivotal moments that bolstered their belief.
"When we play our best football, we are always a team to count on," she affirmed. Arsenal’s attacking partnership this season has been particularly lethal. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius’s teammate, currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The two forwards have blended seamlessly, delivering some of the most compelling 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 working with us forwards," Blackstenius explained. "We spend a lot of time in training developing our understanding, and it pays off on the pitch. We bring different qualities to the team, which makes us versatile against various opponents." She described her own role as one of stretching the defence, making deep runs, and creating space both for herself and her teammates. "Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances.
Our styles complement each other, making it harder for any defensive line to contain us," Blackstenius said, emphasizing the mutual respect and enjoyment they share on the field. The club’s desire to retain Blackstenius was evident when Arsenal announced a new contract offer for her earlier this week.
The additional options in her deal are viewed as a positive development, providing the team with greater flexibility and depth. "Arsenal is a truly special club in so many ways," Blackstenius reflected. "Since I joined 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 are hungry for silverware and aim to compete in every competition we enter. The growth we’ve experienced is evident, and I can see the club heading for even greater heights." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. It would be unsurprising if Blackstenius plays a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage, continuing her tradition of delivering in the biggest moments.
Beyond the pitch, fans have the chance to engage with the sport through various promotions, such as the Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize pool, underscoring the vibrant community that surrounds women’s football today. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this semi‑final with a blend of experience, confidence, and a hunger for repeat glory. With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo providing a prolific goal‑scoring threat, and a supportive coaching staff fostering cohesion, the Gunners are poised to once again challenge the continent’s elite. Whether they replicate their previous success or forge a new path, Arsenal remain a side that cannot be overlooked as they prepare to face OL Lyonne for what could be a historic rematch.