Blackstenius here to stay

Arsenal Forward pens new deal

Arsenal fans are celebrating following the news that Stina Blackstenius has extended her stay in north London for another two years. A big-game player, the Swede has been responsible for some of the Gunners’ most notable achievements since her arrival in 2022. Here’s a rundown…

Up for the Cup

In 2023-24, Blackstenius was the conductor of the Gunners’ orchestra throughout their Continental Cup run. She scored a hat-trick against Reading before netting three times again, this time all in the first half, as Arsenal thumped Aston Villa 4-0 in the semi-final. However, she saved her best for last when, in the 116th minute against Chelsea in the final at Molineux, she netted the only goal of the game with a low finish to ensure Arsenal retained the trophy.

"I remember Caitlin [Foord] played it in, I got a touch on it and suddenly the ball was in front of me and I could finish. Happy about that,” she said afterwards. “I'm really really happy about the win. It was a long game, a tough game but we got a win in the end and now we can celebrate with the fans.”

**Euro vision
**
24 May 2025 is a date firmly entrenched in the hearts and minds of Gunners fans, for it was the date when Arsenal were crowned champions of Europe for the second time, on this occasion at the mighty Barcelona’s expense.

Renee Sleger’s side went into the game in Lisbon as underdogs against a Barca team bolstered by two Ballon d’Or winners and who had won three of the previous four European titles. The Gunners had chances to take the lead but spurned them, prompting the feeling that they’d regret their profligacy in front of goal as the game evolved.

Enter Blackstenius.

On as a substitute, the Swede missed one chance before taking her second just seven minutes after coming on, seizing the ball from Beth Mead’s reverse pass before taking one touch and sending a low effort into the bottom corner.

The Lisbon crowd, mainly full of Barca fans, was stunned, but Arsenal didn’t care. The Gunners held on for a famous victory, while Blackstenius celebrated in the knowledge that her goal was one of the biggest in Arsenal’s history.

“I just can’t believe it, all of it. I just can’t believe we won the Champions League and we get to celebrate,” she said.

50 not out

Arsenal’s 2-0 win against London City Lionesses in the FA Cup in March last year marked a notable landmark for Blackstenius, for it was her 50th goal at the club since joining her arrival in England (she now has 64 in 152 appearances).

With the Gunners leading 1-0, the Swede doubled the home side’s advantage by calmly stroking home into an empty net after Emily Orman had parried Frida Maanum’s initial shot. The home fans celebrated loud and proud knowing that the goal not only secured their passage into the next round of the cup, but also that it signified a key – and proud – moment for their Swedish forward.

On the comeback trail

Arsenal found themselves two goals down away at VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final first leg in April 2023. Missing Kim Little and Leah Williamson through injury, the Gunners had struggled against the German giants, but somehow managed to claw their way back into the tie after going two goals down.

First, Rafaelle nodded home from Steph Catley’s whipped cross before Blackstenius, who else, levelled the scores with 21 minutes left on the clock. The tall forward was in the right place at the right time to tap into an empty net following neat work between Lotte Wubben-Moy and Victoria Pelova.

Blackstenius scored again in the second leg, but the Gunners lost a pulsating tie in extra-time.

City double

Manchester City were unbeaten in 14 games and hadn’t lost at home to Arsenal in six years when the two sides met in May 2024. Both of those runs looked like they were set to continue when Lauren Hemp gave the home side the lead with her tenth goal of the season, but second-half substitute Blackstenius had other ideas.

Coming on as part of a triple change in the 63rd minute, Blackstenius proved a nuisance throughout, and she netted the equaliser in the 89th minute following Beth Mead’s probing corner. She wasn’t finished. Three minutes later, complete bedlam, this time the Swede heading back across goal and into the net from Kim Little’s cross to seal a late win.

A dramatic turnaround, and limbs agogo both on the bench and in the stands as the Gunners celebrated a first away win against City in seven attempts.

First goal

There have been many huge moments since her arrival in January 2022, but Blackstenius’ first goal settled her nerves, and acted as a sign of things to come. It also salvaged a key point for the Gunners at a time when defeat seemed likely.

Arsenal were a goal down away at Manchester United and down to ten players following Katie McCabe’s red card. However, a sensational pass from Vivienne Miedema put Blackstenius through on goal. She had three defenders all on her tail, plus an advancing goalkeeper to beat, and she managed to negotiate all of that with class, style and finesse. She was up and running…

Top scorer in 2023-24

As well as providing key moments, Blackstinius has also displayed consistency too. In 2022-23 and 2023-24 she finished both campaigns as the Gunners’ top scorer. In 2022-23 she scored 18 goals in all competitions in 39 appearances, including eight in the BWSL and 6 in the Champions League. A year later, she finished the season with 18 again, including a remarkable nine in six games in the League Cup to help the Gunners lift the trophy. There have been many assists too, while her movement often enables others – currently Alessia Russo – to flourish.

Derby-day delight

Any player who pitches in with goals against rivals Tottenham is going to endear themselves to the Gunners’ faithful, and Blackstenius is no stranger to finding the net in a north London derby. In March 2023, she scored from a tight angle to open the floodgates as Arsenal went to enjoy a resounding 5-1 win. Two years later, and another five goals against Spurs, this time Blackstenius weighing in with the fifth to add gloss to a marvellous performance, Arsenal’s ninth win in a row.

As the song goes… ‘Stina, Stina, Stina Stina Stina Blackstenius. She scores the goooooooals. She scores the goooooaalls’

Word Credit: Nick Judd