Arsenal's women's side finds itself in a familiar yet exhilarating situation this season. Not only have both of the club's senior teams reached the semi‑final stage of the UEFA Champions League, but the women’s squad is set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the competition's final four, marking a second consecutive year of this high‑profile encounter. The Gunners are chasing a back‑to‑back European crown after their dramatic victory over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a match in which Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius secured the decisive goal.
Blackstenius has earned a reputation for delivering when the stakes are highest; she has featured in four Champions League finals for Arsenal and found the net in three of those occasions, underscoring her knack for big‑game moments. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates, Blackstenius expressed her deep commitment to the club’s ambitions. "I really love to win with this team. I would do anything for that to happen," she said.
She added that, as a striker, the thrill of scoring in crucial matches carries a unique allure: "As a striker, you always want to score goals and in these big games, there's something special about it." Arsenal head into the tie buoyed by a stellar home record under manager Renee Slegers. Despite losing the first‑leg semi‑final last year, the Gunners rallied to overturn the deficit and defeat the eight‑time European champions on French soil, a comeback that epitomised their season‑long narrative of underdogs refusing to accept defeat. This time, however, the narrative has shifted; Arsenal now arrive as the team to be watched, the side that other clubs dread meeting. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the club's mindset, Blackstenius replied, "I wouldn't say it's changed anything.
We know that we can achieve it and if we've done it once, we can for sure do it again." She emphasized that the confidence derived from last season’s triumph does not translate into additional pressure. "We still try to work really hard to achieve this.
We know that we want to play in the final and that's the only goal we have," she continued. Reflecting on the growth the squad has experienced, she noted, "We have grown so much from what we achieved last season. We didn't always get the best result last year, we came back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnais away as well, so that gave us a lot of confidence.
When we play our best football, we're always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been a cornerstone of their success. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius’s teammate, leads the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The duo’s complementary styles have produced some of the most compelling football of their careers, a development that owes much to the guidance of assistant coach and former England star Kelly Smith.
"She has played a big part of it working with us forwards. We have so much time in training to work on the relationships and it works really well," Blackstenius explained. She described their differing skill sets as a tactical advantage: "We are different players, and we can give the team different things.
That's the quality we have in this team and that's what makes us really good as well because we all give something different, which can be good against different teams." Blackstenius sees her role as one of stretching the opposition line, making deep runs, and creating space for herself and her teammates. "Alessia has so many qualities in the way she plays as well, she's really good with the ball, really good with setting up players in good situations, so we can really help each other in that way and make it as hard as possible for the defensive line," she added.
Their synergy has prompted Arsenal to secure Blackstenius on a new contract, a move announced earlier this week. The club views her versatility and experience as vital assets, especially as they aim to maintain a deep roster capable of adapting to various tactical demands.
Reflecting on her time at the club, Blackstenius praised Arsenal’s environment: "It's a really special club in so many ways. Since I joined four and a half years ago, so much has happened. It's such a fun league to play in and with the supporters we have, it's such a good group of girls, good staff and everything around this environment feels like home.
We also want to go for silverware and compete in every competition we're in. I feel like we keep growing and that's a big part as well, that you can see where it's about to go." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be traveling to Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for May 23. Given Blackstenius’s track record of delivering in decisive moments, it would be surprising if she does not play a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage. Beyond the pitch, the club continues to engage fans with interactive experiences, such as the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000.
While the excitement of these promotions adds to the overall fan experience, the core focus for Arsenal remains clear: defend their title, showcase the depth of their talent, and strive for another historic European triumph.