Arsenal's women's side are once again finding themselves in familiar territory. Not only have both of the club's senior teams reached the Champions League semi‑finals, but the Gunners' women are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyonne) in the final four for the second year running. The atmosphere at the Emirates is charged with a sense of déjà vu, as the squad prepares to defend the crown they claimed after a dramatic victory over Barcelona in Lisbon last season – a triumph that was sealed by none other than Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius.
Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest. In fact, she has featured in four Champions League finals with Arsenal and has found the net in three of those matches, helping the club secure every title she has contested. "I really love to win with this team.
I would do anything for that to happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of the first leg of Sunday's semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a striker, you always want to score goals and in these big games, there's something special about it." Under the guidance of head coach Renée Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated an impressive home record that fuels their confidence, even though they suffered a first‑leg defeat in the previous year's semi‑final before overturning the deficit on French soil to eliminate the eight‑time European champions. That comeback epitomised Arsenal's narrative this campaign – a squad that refuses to be written off, now entering the knockout stage as one of the clear favourites rather than the underdogs.
When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team's mindset, Blackstenius was clear: "I wouldn't say it's changed anything. We know we can achieve it and if we've done it once, we can certainly do it again.
The confidence we have in this group is massive, but I don't feel there's more pressure than last season. We still work hard, we still want to play in the final – that's our only goal." She reflected on the progress made since last season, noting that Arsenal have grown significantly: "We didn't always get the best result last year, 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 bolstered by the striking partnership between Blackstenius and teammate 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 attractive football Arsenal has displayed in recent memory, a development that can be credited in part to the work of assistant coach and former England star Kelly Smith.
"Kelly has been instrumental in our development as forwards," Blackstenius explained. "We spend a lot of time in training fine‑tuning our relationships on the pitch and it shows. We are different players and we bring different qualities to the team. That diversity is a strength because it allows us to adapt to various opponents." She described her own role as one of a deep‑running striker who stretches the defensive line, creates space for herself and her teammates, and makes intelligent runs into the box.
"Alessia, on the other hand, is superb with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Our skill sets complement each other perfectly, making it harder for any defence to contain us.
I enjoy playing with her and we both want to keep improving." The club's desire to retain Blackstenius was evident when Arsenal announced a new contract for her earlier this week. The management sees her versatility and experience as vital assets, especially as the squad looks to add more tactical options. "It's a really special club in so many ways," Blackstenius said.
"Since I joined four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is fun, the supporters are amazing, the staff are supportive, and the whole environment feels like home.
We want to win silverware and compete in every competition. I feel we are constantly growing, and you can see the club heading for even greater things." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final scheduled for 23 May. Given Blackstenius's knack for delivering in crucial moments, it would not be surprising to see her play a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage.
Her ability to rise to the occasion, combined with the collective ambition of the squad, positions Arsenal as a genuine contender to retain the European crown. Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding women's football continues to grow, with free highlights, streaming options, and even fantasy competitions offering fans more ways to engage. As Arsenal prepares for what could be another historic night, the message from the players is clear: they are hungry, they are united, and they are ready to add another chapter to the club's illustrious legacy.