A feeling of déjà vu is hanging 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 showdown. 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 most crucial moments, having featured in four finals for Arsenal and found the net in three of them.
Her knack for scoring when the pressure is at its peak has made her a cornerstone of the team’s success. "I love winning with this club and I would move mountains to make that happen," she told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first leg of the semi‑final at the Emirates.
"As a striker, you always want to get on the scoresheet, and in games of this magnitude there’s an extra thrill to it." Under the guidance of manager Réné 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 rallying to overturn the eight‑time European champions on French soil. That comeback epitomised Arsenal’s narrative this season: the underdogs who refuse to accept defeat.
This time, however, they enter the competition as one of the teams to watch. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the squad’s mindset, Blackstenius responded, "I wouldn’t say anything has changed dramatically. We know we are capable of winning, and if we did it once, we can definitely do it again. That belief is what drives us, but I don’t feel we’re under more pressure than last season." She continued, "We still work tirelessly to achieve our goals.
Our sole aim is to reach the final, and we are relentless in pursuing that. The experience from last season has helped us grow enormously. We didn’t always get the best results, but we fought back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnais away from home, which gave us a massive boost in confidence. When we play at our best, Arsenal is always a team to be reckoned with." Arsenal’s attacking partnership has been further strengthened by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches.
The synergy between Blackstenius and Russo has produced some of the most attractive football of their careers, a development attributed in part 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 working on our link‑up play, and it’s paying dividends," 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 brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Together we make life difficult for any defensive line." "Playing with her is a joy, and I’m eager to keep improving together," she added.
Recognising the value of this partnership, Arsenal recently secured Blackstenius on a new contract, a move announced earlier this week. The club sees her versatility and experience as vital assets, especially as they look to add more tactical options to an already potent attacking lineup. "Arsenal is a special club in so many ways," Blackstenius reflected.
"Since I arrived four and a half years ago, I’ve seen incredible growth. The league is exciting, the supporters are passionate, and the camaraderie among the players and staff feels like home. We are hungry for silverware and aim to compete fiercely in every competition. The club is constantly evolving, and I can feel that we are on the brink of something even bigger." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final on May 23.
Given her track record, it would be surprising if Blackstenius does not play a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s side blend confidence born from past triumphs with a fresh hunger for more glory. With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo delivering goals, and a supportive coaching staff fostering cohesion, the team appears well‑equipped to challenge Olympique Lyonnais once again and to chase another historic European title.