A feeling of déjà vu hangs over Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both the men’s and women’s 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‑stakes encounter. 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 in the biggest moments; she has featured in four finals with Arsenal and found the net in three of them, a record that underscores her knack for scoring when the stakes are highest.
"I love winning with this club and I would move mountains to make that happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of the first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a striker, you always want to get on the scoresheet, and in these big games there’s an extra thrill to it." Under head coach René Slegers, Arsenal have compiled an impressive home record, which fuels their confidence despite having lost the first‑leg of last year’s semi‑final before rallying to defeat the eight‑time European champions on French soil. That comeback epitomised Arsenal’s season‑long narrative: the underdogs who refuse to accept defeat. This time, however, they enter the competition as the team to watch, the side that other clubs are keen to topple.
When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the squad’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "I wouldn’t say it changes anything. We know we can win it, and if we did it once, we can definitely do it again.
That belief is ingrained in us, but I don’t feel there’s more pressure than last season." She continued, "We keep working hard because our sole aim is to reach the final. We have grown enormously since last year. Even when we didn’t get the best result, we fought back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnes away, which gave us huge confidence. When we play our best football, we’re always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been further bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches.
The duo have clicked beautifully this season, delivering some of the most attractive football of their careers—a development that owes much to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith. Blackstenius praised Smith’s influence, stating, "She has been instrumental in working with us forwards. We spend a lot of time in training fine‑tuning our relationships, and it pays off on the pitch." "We are different players, offering varied qualities, and that diversity makes us strong against a range of opponents," she added.
"Alessia and I complement each other perfectly. My game is about making deep runs, stretching the defence, and creating space for myself and my teammates. Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Together we make life difficult for any back line." Their contrasting styles were a key factor in Arsenal’s decision to offer Blackstenius a new contract earlier this week.
More options in attack are seen as a clear advantage for the team, and the club’s leadership believes retaining a player of her calibre will keep the squad competitive on all fronts. Reflecting on her time at the club, Blackstenius said, "Arsenal is a special place in so many ways. Since I arrived four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is fun, the supporters are incredible, and the environment feels like home.
We want to win trophies and compete in every competition we enter. I can see the club growing, and I’m excited to be part of that journey." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final on 23 May. Given Blackstenius’s history of delivering in crucial moments, it would not be surprising if she plays a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s side combine confidence, experience, and a fresh tactical edge as they prepare to face OL Lyonnes once more.
With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo firing on all cylinders, and the coaching staff fine‑tuning every detail, the Gunners are poised to add another chapter to their burgeoning European legacy. (Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.)