A feeling of déjà vu is sweeping through Arsenal’s camp at the moment. Not only have both of the club’s senior sides reached the semi‑final stage of the UEFA Champions League, but the women’s squad is set to meet Olympique Lyonnais once again in the competition’s final four for a second straight year.
The Gunners are chasing back‑to‑back European crowns after their dramatic triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon last season – a victory 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 every final she has contested while wearing the Arsenal badge, finding the net in three of those four appearances. "I love winning with this team and I would move mountains to make it happen," Blackstenius told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview ahead of the first leg of Sunday’s semi‑final at the Emirates. "As a forward, you always crave goals, and in these big matches there’s something extra, something magical about it." Under head coach Renee Slegers, Arsenal have cultivated a formidable home record, which has given the squad a deep reservoir of confidence even though they lost the first‑leg semi‑final last year before staging a comeback against the eight‑time European champions on French soil.
That comeback epitomised the narrative of Arsenal’s recent rise: a team once dismissed as underdogs that refused to accept defeat. This season, however, the narrative has shifted – the Gunners are now the ones being hunted. "I wouldn’t say being the defending champions has changed anything," Blackstenius continued.
"We know we can do it again, and if we managed it once, we can certainly do it a second time. That belief is what fuels us, but I don’t feel there’s more pressure than last season. We still work hard, we still aim for the final – that’s the only target we have." She added that the experience of last year’s campaign has been a catalyst for growth.
"We learned a lot from the setbacks, we turned around games against Real Madrid and Lyon on the road, and that gave us massive confidence. When we play our best football, we become a side you can always count on." Arsenal’s attacking firepower this season has been bolstered by Alessia Russo, who currently tops the Champions League scoring chart with eight goals in ten matches. The partnership between Blackstenius and Russo has blossomed into one of the most effective duos in women’s football, a synergy that owes much to the guidance of assistant coach and former England striker Kelly Smith.
"Kelly has been instrumental in developing us forwards," Blackstenius said. "We spend a lot of time in training fine‑tuning our link‑up play, and it shows on the pitch." She explained how their contrasting styles complement each other: "I like to make deep runs, stretch the defence, and create space for myself and my teammates. That’s my role and I enjoy it. Alessia, on the other hand, is brilliant with the ball, she creates chances and can unlock any defence.
Together we make it difficult for opponents to organise themselves." Their differences were a key reason Arsenal moved quickly to secure Blackstenius on a new contract earlier this week, adding further depth and flexibility to a squad that already boasts a wealth of talent. "Arsenal is a special club in so many ways," she reflected. "Since I arrived four and a half years ago, the club has grown enormously. The league is exciting, the supporters are amazing, and the environment feels like home.
We want to win trophies and compete on every front. I can see the club continuing to progress and I want to be part of that journey." Looking ahead, the Gunners could soon find themselves in Oslo, where the Champions League final is scheduled for 23 May. It would be no surprise if Blackstenius plays a pivotal role in guiding Arsenal to that stage, just as she did in Lisbon. Beyond the pitch, the excitement surrounding the women's game continues to expand.
Fans can catch free WSL highlights, stream matches without a contract, and even take part in promotions such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win £250,000. These initiatives reflect the growing popularity and commercial appeal of women’s football, a trend that Arsenal and its star players are helping to drive forward. In summary, Arsenal’s women’s team enters this season’s Champions League with a blend of seasoned confidence and fresh ambition. With Blackstenius’ knack for delivering in the clutch, Russo’s goal‑scoring prowess, and a coaching staff that maximises their strengths, the Gunners are positioned to defend their title and perhaps add another chapter to their burgeoning legacy.
The upcoming clash with OL Lyonnes promises to be a showcase of elite talent, tactical acumen, and the relentless desire to lift yet another European trophy for the club.