A feeling of déjà vu hangs over Arsenal at the moment. Both the men’s and women’s squads are currently fighting for places in the Champions League semi‑finals, and the women’s side are set to meet Olympique Lyonnais again in the final four for a second year running. The Gunners are chasing consecutive European crowns after their triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season, a victory sealed by none other than Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius. Blackstenius has built a reputation for delivering decisive goals when the stakes are highest – she has featured in four finals for Arsenal and found the net in three of those occasions.
"I love winning with this club and I would do anything to make that happen," she told Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s first‑leg semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a forward, you always crave goals, and in big matches there’s an extra thrill to it." Under head coach Renee Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated an impressive home record, giving the squad confidence even though they lost the first leg of last year’s semi‑final before overturning the deficit to beat the eight‑time European champions on French soil.
That comeback epitomised Arsenal’s season: the underdogs who never seemed to accept defeat. This time, however, they enter the competition as one of the teams everyone is watching. "Being the defending champions hasn’t changed our mindset," Blackstenius added.
"We know we can do it again because we’ve done it before. The confidence is there, but the pressure isn’t any greater than last season. We still work hard, aiming only for the final – that’s our sole objective." She reflected on the growth the side has experienced since their historic win.
"We didn’t always get the best results last year, but we came back from behind against Real Madrid and Lyon away, which gave us huge belief. When we play our best football, we’re always a team to count on." Arsenal’s attacking partnership this season has been a key factor in their success. Alessia Russo, Blackstenius’s teammate, currently tops the Champions League scoring chart with eight goals in ten matches.
The two forwards have blended seamlessly, producing some of the most attractive football of their careers, thanks in part to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith. "Kelly has been instrumental in working with us forwards. We spend a lot of time in training developing our understanding, and it shows on the pitch," Blackstenius explained. "We are different players, offering varied attributes, which makes the team stronger against different opponents." She described her own role as a runner who stretches the defence, making penetrating runs into the box to create space for herself and her teammates.
"Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball and excels at setting up chances. Our styles complement each other, making it difficult for any defence to contain us." The synergy between the two has convinced the club to secure Blackstenius on a new contract, announced earlier this week.
More options in attack are viewed as a positive development for Arsenal’s ambitions. "This club is special in so many ways," she said.
"Since I arrived four and a half years ago, so much has happened. The league is fun, the supporters are fantastic, and the environment feels like home. We want to win trophies and compete in every competition. I can see the club continuing to grow and push forward." Looking ahead, Arsenal could soon be travelling to Oslo for the Champions League final on 23 May.
Given her knack for delivering in crucial moments, it would not be surprising if Blackstenius plays a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to that stage. Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding women’s football continues to rise, with free highlights and streaming options making the sport more accessible to fans worldwide.
As Arsenal prepare for what could be another historic season, the combination of experienced leaders like Blackstenius, emerging talents such as Russo, and a supportive coaching staff sets the stage for a compelling campaign that could see the Gunners lift the trophy once more.