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‑profile clash. The Gunners are chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after their triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory that was sealed by the decisive strike of Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest.
In fact, she has featured in four finals for Arsenal and has found the net in three of those occasions, underscoring her knack for rising to the occasion. "I truly love winning with this team and I would do anything to make that happen," Blackstenius told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first leg of the semi‑final at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. "As a striker, you always want to score, and in these big games there’s something magical about it." Arsenal’s impressive home record under manager Renee Slegers gives the squad a solid foundation of belief, even though they suffered a first‑leg defeat in the previous year’s encounter before staging a dramatic comeback against the eight‑time European champions on French soil.
That comeback encapsulated the narrative of Arsenal’s recent rise: a team once viewed as underdogs that refuses to accept defeat. This season, however, the narrative has shifted – Arsenal have become the team that others are aiming to stop.
When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "I wouldn’t say it has 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 extremely hard, and our sole aim is to reach the final." She added, "We have grown enormously since last season. We didn’t always get the best results, but we managed to turn things around against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnes away from home, which gave us a huge boost in confidence.
When we play our best football, we are always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been further strengthened by the emergence of Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. The synergy between Blackstenius and Russo has been a key factor in the Gunners’ fluid, attacking brand of football, a style that has been honed under 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 really pays off on the pitch." "We are different types of players, and that variety gives the team multiple options.
That versatility is what makes us strong because we can adapt to different 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 fully. Alessia, on the other hand, is superb with the ball and excels at setting up chances.
Together we make it very difficult for any defensive line to contain us." The pair’s contrasting styles were a significant reason why Arsenal moved quickly to secure a new contract for Blackstenius earlier this week, adding further depth and flexibility to the squad. "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 incredible, and the environment feels like home. We aim for silverware in every competition, and I can see the club continuing to grow and push forward." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final scheduled for 23 May. Given her track record, it would be surprising if Blackstenius does not play a pivotal role in helping Arsenal reach that stage.
Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding women's football continues to rise, with free highlights, streaming options, and even fantasy competitions offering fans additional ways to engage. 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 promises a compelling narrative for supporters and neutrals alike. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this semi‑final with confidence born of past triumphs, a deepening squad, and a clear hunger for more trophies.
Whether they replicate last year’s comeback against Lyon or chart a new path to glory, the Gunners remain a side that opponents must always reckon with.