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 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 victory over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a match that was decided by the decisive strike of Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has a reputation for finding the net when the stakes are highest; she has featured in four finals for Arsenal and has scored in three of them, cementing her status as a clutch performer. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of the first leg of Sunday’s semi‑final at the Emirates, she expressed her hunger for more silverware: "I really love to win with this team. I would do anything for that to happen.
As a striker, you always want to score goals and in these big games, there's something special about it." Arsenal’s impressive home record under manager Renee Slegers gives the squad genuine belief, even though they suffered a first‑leg defeat in the previous year before staging a comeback against the eight‑time European champions on French soil. That comeback epitomised Arsenal’s season‑long narrative: an underdog side that refuses to accept defeat. This time, however, the narrative has shifted – the Gunners are now the team to watch, the target on everyone’s radar.
"I wouldn't say it’s changed anything being the Champions League holders," Blackstenius added. "We know we can achieve it, and if we’ve done it once, we can certainly do it again. That confidence is there, 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 reflected on the growth the squad has experienced since last season’s triumph: "We didn’t always get the best results last year, but we turned things around against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnais away, which gave us a massive boost in confidence.
When we play our best football, we’re always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been a key factor in their success. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius’s teammate, leads the Champions League scoring charts this campaign with eight goals in ten matches.
The duo have blended seamlessly, delivering some of the most compelling football of their careers, a development that owes a great deal to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith. "Kelly has been instrumental in working with us forwards. We spend a lot of time in training developing our understanding, and it shows on the pitch," Blackstenius explained.
"We are different players and bring different qualities to the team. That variety makes us strong because we can adapt to various opponents." She continued, "Alessia and I complement each other perfectly.
I like to make deep runs, stretch the defence and create space for myself and my teammates. That’s my role and I embrace it.
Alessia, on the other hand, is superb with the ball and excels at setting up chances, making life difficult for any defensive line." The chemistry between the two forwards was a factor in Arsenal’s decision earlier this week to offer Blackstenius a new contract. More options in attack are viewed as a positive development for a side that already boasts a deep, versatile roster. "It’s a truly special club in many ways," Blackstenius said, reflecting on her four‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure. "The league is fun, the supporters are amazing, and the environment feels like home.
We’re hungry for trophies and aim to compete in every competition we enter. I can see the club continuing to grow and I’m excited about where we’re headed." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final on May 23. 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. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this semi‑final with a blend of confidence, experience, and a hunger to repeat history.
With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo providing the finishing touch, and a supportive coaching staff fostering unity, the Gunners have all the ingredients to once again lift the European crown. The upcoming clash with OL Lyonnais promises to be a tactical battle, but Arsenal’s belief that they are a team to rely on in big games may well be the decisive factor. (Word count: 639)