A sense of familiarity has settled over Arsenal as both their men's and women's teams have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. The women's team is set to face off against OL Lyonnes for the second consecutive year in the final four. Having secured the title last year by defeating Barcelona in Lisbon, with Stina Blackstenius scoring the winning goal, the Gunners are now gunning for a repeat performance. Blackstenius has established herself as a clutch player, having won all four finals she has competed in with Arsenal and scoring in three of them.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, she expressed her passion for winning with her team, stating, 'I really love to win with this team. I would do anything for that to happen.' As a striker, Blackstenius has a knack for rising to the occasion in big games, and she attributes this to her desire to score goals. Under the guidance of coach Renee Slegers, Arsenal boasts an impressive home record, which has instilled confidence in the team as they head into the semi-final first leg against OL Lyonnes at the Emirates.
Despite being the reigning Champions League holders, Blackstenius believes that this status has not added any pressure to the team's performance. Instead, it has bolstered their confidence, with the knowledge that they have achieved it once and can do it again. Blackstenius' teammate, Alessia Russo, is currently the top scorer in the Champions League with eight goals in ten matches. The duo has formed a potent partnership, thanks in part to their work with assistant coach Kelly Smith.
Blackstenius credits Smith with helping the team's forwards develop their relationships and playing styles. With their differing strengths, Blackstenius and Russo complement each other perfectly, making them a formidable force against opposing teams. Blackstenius has recently signed a new contract with Arsenal, a move that reflects the club's desire to retain her services and capitalize on the options she provides.
She expressed her affection for the club, citing its special environment, supportive fans, and the opportunity to compete for silverware. As Arsenal looks to the future, they have their sights set on the Champions League final in Oslo on May 23, and Blackstenius is likely to play a crucial role in their pursuit of back-to-back titles.