There is an unmistakable feeling of déjà vu surrounding Arsenal at the moment. Not only have both the men’s and women’s senior 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 now chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after clinching the title by defeating Barcelona in Lisbon last season. The decisive goal in that triumph came from forward Stina Blackstenius, whose knack for delivering crucial strikes in the biggest moments has become a hallmark of her career. In fact, she has featured in four finals while wearing the Arsenal badge and has found the net in three of those matches, underscoring her reputation as a clutch performer. "I truly love winning with this team and I would move mountains to make that happen," Blackstenius told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first leg of Sunday’s semi‑final at the Emirates.
"As a striker, you always want to score, and in games of this magnitude there’s something uniquely special about it." Under the guidance of manager Réné Slegers, Arsenal have built an impressive home record that fuels confidence even though they suffered a first‑leg defeat in the previous year’s semi‑final before overturning the deficit to beat the eight‑time European champions on French soil. That comeback epitomised the narrative of Arsenal’s recent campaign: an underdog side that refuses to accept defeat and consistently finds a way to win. This season, however, the narrative has shifted slightly – they are now the team that other clubs fear.
When asked whether holding the Champions League trophy has altered the team’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "I wouldn’t say it has changed anything. We know we are capable of winning, and if we managed it once, we can certainly do it again.
That confidence is ingrained in us, but I don’t feel there is more pressure than last season." She continued, "We still work incredibly hard to achieve our goals. Our sole aim is to reach the final, and we will do whatever it takes to get there. We have grown enormously since last season. Although we didn’t always secure the best results, we showed resilience by coming back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnes away from home, which boosted our belief.
When we play at our best, Arsenal is always a team to be reckoned with." Arsenal’s attacking firepower this season has been bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring chart with eight goals in ten matches. The partnership between Blackstenius and Russo has flourished, producing some of the most attractive football of their careers, a development that can be partly credited to the influence of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith. "Kelly has been instrumental in shaping us forwards.
We spend a lot of time in training developing our understanding, and it’s paying off," Blackstenius explained. "We are different types of players, which gives the team a variety of options. That diversity is a strength because we can adapt to different opponents. Alessia and I complement each other perfectly.
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 fully. Alessia, on the other hand, is superb with the ball and excels at setting up chances, making it difficult for any defensive line to contain us." "Playing alongside her is a joy, and I’m eager to see how far we can push our game together," Blackstenius added. Their contrasting styles were a key factor in Arsenal’s decision to offer Blackstenius a new contract earlier this week, a move that adds depth and flexibility to the squad.
Reflecting on her time at the club, Blackstenius said, "Arsenal is a truly special club in many ways. Since I arrived four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is fun, the supporters are passionate, and the environment feels like home.
We aim for silverware in every competition, and I can see the club continuing to grow and evolve." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final scheduled for 23 May. Given Blackstenius’s track record in decisive matches, it would not be surprising to see her play a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s side enter the semi‑final with a blend of confidence, experience, and a potent attacking duo that can trouble any defence.
The rematch with OL Lyonnes promises another chapter in a budding rivalry, and with Blackstenius leading the charge, the Gunners are once again a team to count on as they chase European glory.