Arsenal’s women’s side are once again caught in a familiar narrative. Not only have both of the club’s senior squads reached the Champions League semi‑final stage, but the women’s team are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais — the OL Lyonnes — in the final four for the second year running. The Gunners are hunting back‑to‑back European crowns after their dramatic victory over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a win that was sealed by none other than Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has built a reputation as a big‑game scorer.
In every final she has contested while wearing the Arsenal badge, she has found the net in three of the four occasions, and each time her goal has been pivotal in securing the trophy. "I love winning with this club and I would move mountains to make that happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of the first leg of the semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a forward, you always want to score, and when the stakes are this high there’s an extra thrill to it." Under head coach Renee Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated an impressive home record that fuels their confidence, even though they lost the first‑leg encounter with Lyon last year before turning the tie around on French soil to defeat the eight‑time European champions. That comeback epitomised the spirit of Arsenal’s campaign: a squad that refuses to accept defeat and thrives on the underdog narrative.
This season, however, the dynamic has shifted – the Gunners are now the team everyone wants to beat. When asked whether holding the Champions League title has altered the team’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.
The confidence is there, but I don’t feel any extra pressure compared to last season. We still work hard, we still have the same goal – to reach the final." She reflected on the growth the side has experienced since their triumph, noting the valuable lessons learned from previous comebacks against Real Madrid and Lyon on the road.
"Those experiences gave us a lot of belief. When we play our best football, we are always a team to count on," she added. Arsenal’s attacking firepower this season is 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 flourished, producing some of the most attractive football the club has displayed in recent memory. A key factor behind their chemistry is the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith, who works closely with the forwards during training.
"Kelly has been instrumental in developing us as attackers. We spend a lot of time on the training ground fine‑tuning our link‑up play, and it shows on the pitch," Blackstenius explained. "We bring different qualities to the team – I like to make deep runs, stretch the defence and create 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 it very difficult for any defensive line to cope." The contrast in their playing styles is precisely why Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week. More options up front are seen as a strategic advantage for a side that thrives on tactical flexibility. "Arsenal is a special club in so many ways.
Since I joined four and a half years ago, I’ve seen the club evolve dramatically," she said. "The league is fun, the supporters are amazing, and the environment feels like home.
We want to win silverware in every competition we enter, and I can see the club continuing to grow." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon be packing their bags for Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. Blackstenius is confident that she will play a decisive role in helping Arsenal reach that stage, just as she did in Lisbon. Beyond the pitch, the club continues to engage fans with various initiatives, from free highlights of the Women’s Super League to streaming options that require no long‑term contracts. The team’s success has also sparked interest in related contests, such as the Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize pool.
In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enter this season’s Champions League semi‑final with a blend of seasoned confidence and fresh ambition. With Blackstenius leading the line, Russo providing a prolific scoring threat, and the tactical acumen of Slegers and Smith guiding them, the Gunners are poised to once again challenge for European glory. Their journey reflects a club that has learned from past comebacks, embraced the pressure of being the team to beat, and remains determined to add another trophy to their growing cabinet.