Arsenal's women's side are once again feeling a familiar buzz of anticipation. Not only have both of the club's senior squads reached the Champions League semi‑finals, but the women are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais in the final four for the second year running. 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 none other than Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius.
Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest. In her Arsenal career she has featured in four finals and has found the net in three of them, a record that underscores her knack for rising to the occasion.
"I love winning with this team and I would do anything to make it happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of the first leg of the semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a striker you always want to score, and in big games there is something extra special about it." Under the guidance of head coach Réneé Slegers, Arsenal have compiled an impressive home record and head into the tie with a strong belief in their ability to repeat history, even though they lost the first leg of last year's semi‑final before turning the tie around in France to defeat the eight‑time European champions.
That comeback encapsulated the narrative of Arsenal's recent campaign: a group of underdogs who never accept defeat. This season, however, the narrative has shifted slightly – they are now the team that other clubs fear. "I wouldn't say being the defending champions has changed anything," Blackstenius explained. "We know we can do it again, and if we've done it once, we can certainly do it again.
That confidence is there, but I don't feel any extra pressure compared with last season. We still work hard, we still want to reach the final – that's our only goal." She added that the squad has grown significantly since their triumph last year. "We didn't always get the best results, but we came back against Real Madrid and Lyon away, which gave us a huge boost of confidence.
When we play our best football, we are always a team to count on." Arsenal's attacking partnership has also been a key factor in their success. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius' teammate, currently leads the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches.
The two forwards have blended seamlessly, delivering some of the finest football of their careers, a development that owes much to the work 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 relationships, and it shows on the pitch," Blackstenius said.
"We are different players and bring different qualities to the team. That diversity is a strength because it allows us to adapt to various opponents. Alessia and I complement each other well.
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 excellent with the ball and in setting up chances.
Together we make it difficult for any defensive line. I enjoy playing with her and want us to keep improving." Their contrasting styles were a major reason Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week.
More options in attack are always a positive for the Gunners, and the club sees her as a cornerstone of their future ambitions. "Arsenal is a special club in 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 want to win silverware and compete in every competition. I feel we are constantly growing, and you can see that progress every day." Looking ahead, the next big destination could be Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. It would not be surprising if Blackstenius once again plays a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage.
Beyond the pitch, Arsenal continue to engage fans with various initiatives, including free highlights of the Women's Super League and streaming options that require no contract. The club also promotes community involvement through contests such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000.
All of these elements combine to create a vibrant ecosystem around a team that, thanks to players like Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo, remains a formidable force in European women's football.