Arsenal's women's side are once again finding themselves in familiar territory, this time as they prepare for a high‑stakes Champions League semi‑final against Olympique Lyonnais. The atmosphere at the Emirates feels almost like déjà vu: both the senior men's and women's squads are fighting for places in the Champions League final, and for a second year running the Gunners' women will meet the French giants in the last‑four stage.
Last season, Arsenal lifted the trophy after a dramatic victory over Barcelona in Lisbon, and the decisive goal was struck by none other than Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering when the pressure is at its highest, having found the net in three of the four finals she has contested for Arsenal and winning each of those matches. Her knack for big‑game moments makes her a central figure in the team’s ambitions for another title. Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates, Blackstenius expressed her devotion to the club and her hunger for success.
"I really love to win with this team. I would do anything for that to happen," she said. She added that, as a striker, there is something uniquely thrilling about scoring in crucial encounters: "As a striker, you always want to score goals and in these big games, there's something special about it." Arsenal enter the tie with a superb home record under manager Renee Slegers, and the confidence within the squad is palpable despite the fact that they lost the first‑leg of last year’s semi‑final before overturning the deficit in France to defeat the eight‑time European champions. That comeback encapsulated the spirit of Arsenal’s recent campaign – the underdogs who refuse to accept defeat and always find a way to turn the tide.
This season, however, the narrative has shifted: the Gunners are now the team to beat, and every opponent knows they must be prepared for a fierce challenge. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team'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; instead, the squad continues to work tirelessly toward the same singular goal – reaching the final and lifting the silverware once more. The growth Arsenal has experienced over the past year is evident in their performances against elite opposition.
Blackstenius highlighted the importance of the comeback victories against Real Madrid and Lyon on foreign soil, noting that those experiences have bolstered the squad’s belief in their own capabilities. "When we play our best football, we're always a team to count on," she affirmed. A key element of Arsenal’s attacking firepower this season is the partnership between Blackstenius and fellow forward Alessia Russo, who currently leads the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches. Their complementary styles have produced some of the most exciting football the club has seen in recent memory.
Russo’s clinical finishing and Blackstenius’s movement and work‑rate create a dynamic that keeps defences guessing. Both forwards credit assistant coach Kelly Smith – a legendary former striker – for her influence on their development.
"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 how their differing attributes benefit the team: "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 elaborated on her own role, emphasizing her desire to stretch the opposition line and make incisive runs into the box: "I've always been a player that wants to run deep and try to stretch the line, make the runs in the box to create space for myself and for everyone around me. I see that as my role, and I'm more than happy with that." She praised Russo’s technical abilities, noting that "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." Their synergy has prompted Arsenal to secure a new contract for Blackstenius earlier this week, a move the club sees as adding valuable depth and flexibility to the squad.
"It's a really special club in so many ways," she said, reflecting on her four‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure. "Since I joined, 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." Blackstenius also highlighted Arsenal’s ambition to compete for trophies across all competitions: "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 travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final on May 23, should they progress past Lyon. Blackstenius remains confident that she can play a pivotal role in that journey, adding another chapter to her impressive record in European finals. Beyond the pitch, Arsenal continues to engage fans through various platforms, offering free Women's Super League highlights and streaming options without long‑term contracts.
The club also runs promotional campaigns, such as the Super 6 competition with a £250,000 prize pool, encouraging supporters to stay connected and invested in the team's success. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team, anchored by the experienced and decisive Stina Blackstenius, are poised to defend their Champions League crown.
Their blend of seasoned leadership, emerging talent, and tactical acumen under Slegers and Smith provides a solid foundation for another deep run. As the semi‑final against OL Lyonnes approaches, the Gunners are determined to prove that they are not just a team to watch, but a team to count on when the stakes are highest.