A feeling of déjà vu is gripping Arsenal at the moment. Both the men’s and women’s squads are fighting for a place in the Champions League semi‑finals, and the women’s side are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the final four, marking a second consecutive year of this high‑profile clash.
The Gunners are chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after their triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory that was sealed by none other than Stina Blackstenius. The Swedish striker has a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest; she has featured in four finals with Arsenal and found the net in three of them, helping the club secure every title she has contested.
"I 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 semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a forward, you always crave goals, and in the big games there’s an extra magic to it." Under the guidance of manager Renee Slegers, Arsenal have built an impressive home record that fuels their confidence, even though they lost the opening 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: a group of underdogs who never accepted defeat.
This time, however, they enter the competition as one of the teams to watch, with opponents now targeting them as a benchmark. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the squad’s mindset, Blackstenius replied, "It hasn’t changed anything fundamentally.
We know we can win, and if we did it once, we can certainly do it again. That belief is the foundation of our confidence, but I don’t feel there’s extra pressure compared to 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 that pursuit. The growth we experienced last season was massive – we came back against Real Madrid and OL Lyonnes away from home, which gave us a huge boost in belief. When we play our best football, we are always a team you can count on." Arsenal’s attacking firepower is further bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with eight goals in ten matches.
The partnership between Blackstenius and Russo has blossomed this campaign, producing some of the most attractive football of their careers. A key contributor to this chemistry is assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith, whose experience with forwards has been invaluable. "Kelly has been instrumental in shaping us as attackers.
We spend a lot of time in training developing our understanding, and it translates on the pitch," Blackstenius explained. "We are different players, offering varied attributes, which makes the team versatile against any opponent." 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. That’s my role and I embrace it fully. Alessia, on the other hand, possesses superb ball control and vision, setting up chances in dangerous areas.
Together we make life difficult for any defensive line." The duo’s contrasting styles are precisely why Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week, adding depth and flexibility to the squad. More options, especially in attack, are always a welcome asset for a team with championship ambitions. Reflecting on her time at the club, Blackstenius said, "Arsenal is a truly special club in so many ways.
Since I arrived four and a half years ago, the journey has been incredible. The league is exciting, the supporters are passionate, and the camaraderie among the players and staff makes this environment feel like home." She emphasized the collective drive for trophies, "We want to win silverware and compete fiercely in every competition we enter.
I can see the club continuously growing, and that progress motivates us to push further." Looking ahead, Arsenal may 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. The narrative surrounding Arsenal’s women’s side is one of resilience, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
With a blend of seasoned talent, emerging stars, and a supportive coaching staff, they are poised to challenge for European glory once more, and fans can expect more thrilling performances as the season reaches its climax.