There is a palpable sense of déjà vu surrounding Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both of the club's senior squads reached the Champions League semi‑finals, but the women’s side are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the final four, marking a second consecutive year of that high‑stakes encounter. The Gunners are chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after their triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory sealed by the decisive strike of Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering crucial goals when the pressure is at its peak.
In fact, she has featured in four finals for Arsenal and found the net in three of those matches, underscoring her knack for rising to the occasion. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates, Blackstenius expressed her passion for winning with the club: "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." Her words reflect the confidence that has become a hallmark of Arsenal’s recent campaigns.
Under the guidance of manager Rêne Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated an impressive home record, which fuels belief despite the disappointment of losing the first‑leg semi‑final last year. That setback, however, became a catalyst for a remarkable comeback against the eight‑time European champions on French soil, a narrative that epitomised the underdog spirit of this Arsenal side – a team that refuses to accept defeat. Now, as defending champions, the Gunners find themselves on the opposite side of the equation: they are the team to beat. Yet Blackstenius insists that holding the title has not altered the squad’s mindset.
"I wouldn't say it's changed anything being the Champions League holders," she said. "We know we can achieve it again, 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 hard, we still want to reach the final – that’s our sole objective." She highlighted the growth the squad has experienced over the past year: "We didn’t always get the best results last season, but we came back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonne away, which gave us a lot of confidence.
When we play our best football, we’re always a team to count on." This confidence is reflected in the striking partnership that has blossomed this campaign. Arsenal teammate Alessia Russo 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 Arsenal’s attacking fluidity, a development that owes much to the input of assistant coach and former England star Kelly Smith. "She has played a big part working with us forwards," Blackstenius explained.
"We have so much time in training to develop our relationships, and it works really well." The two forwards complement each other perfectly. Blackstenius describes her own role as one of deep runs and stretching the opposition line, creating space for herself and her teammates. "I like to run deep, make runs into the box, and open up space for everyone around me. That's my role and I’m happy with it," she said.
Russo, on the other hand, excels in ball retention and creating opportunities for others. "Alessia is brilliant with the ball, she sets up players in great positions, making it harder for defenders to cope," Blackstenius added. Their contrasting styles give Arsenal a tactical versatility that can be tailored to different opponents.
Recognising the value of this partnership, Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week, adding depth and flexibility to the squad. "It’s a really special club in so many ways," she reflected. "Since I joined four and a half years ago, so much has happened.
The league is fun, the supporters are amazing, the staff is fantastic, and the whole environment feels like home. We also want to win silverware and compete in every competition.
I feel we keep growing, and you can see the direction we’re heading." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for May 23. Blackstenius is confident that she will play a pivotal role in that journey, just as she did in Lisbon.
Her determination, combined with the collective ambition of the squad, makes Arsenal a formidable contender for another European crown. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this semi‑final with a blend of experience, confidence, and tactical variety. The partnership between Blackstenius and Russo, the strategic guidance of Kelly Smith, and the unwavering support of the club’s community all point toward a potential repeat of last year’s success. Whether they lift the trophy in Oslo remains to be seen, but the foundations are firmly in place for another historic run.