Stina Blackstenius signs new Arsenal contract after Champions League heroics

Key facts

• Stina Blackstenius signed a new contract with Arsenal in April 2026.
• She scored the late winner in the 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League final against Barcelona.
• Blackstenius has scored 64 goals in 152 appearances for Arsenal since joining in 2022.
• She has won all four finals she contested as an Arsenal player, including two League Cups and a FIFA Champions Cup.
• The 30-year-old has 43 goals in 127 appearances for Sweden and was recently named captain for World Cup qualifiers.
• Blackstenius scored in each of Arsenal's League Cup final wins against Chelsea in 2023 and 2024.
• She finished as Arsenal's top scorer in both of those campaigns.

A quiet match-winner commits to Arsenal

Stina Blackstenius, the Swedish striker whose late goal secured Arsenal's first UEFA Women's Champions League title in 18 years, has signed a new contract with the club. The announcement was made in late April 2026, with the 30-year-old surprising a group of Arsenal fans on a stadium tour as part of the reveal. Blackstenius, who joined from BK Hacken in 2022, has become a firm favourite at the Emirates. Her 64 goals in 152 appearances include the decisive strike in the 1-0 Champions League final victory over Barcelona in May 2025, a moment she describes as one of the happiest days of her life.

The goal that ended an 18-year wait

The Champions League final in Lisbon last May was the pinnacle of Blackstenius's career. With the score tied at 0-0, she found the net late on to give Arsenal a historic victory, their first European crown since 2007. "It's something I've always been dreaming about, winning the Champions League with Arsenal," Blackstenius said. "With the many travelling supporters and my family in the stands, it was unbelievable in so many ways." Despite being the match-winner, she remained in the background during the team's celebrations in London two days later, letting her teammates take centre stage.

A shy superstar with a clutch instinct

Blackstenius is known for her calm demeanour and ability to produce in big moments. She has scored in two League Cup finals, both against Chelsea in 2023 and 2024, and finished as Arsenal's top scorer in each of those campaigns. Yet the striker admits to feeling nervous before the Champions League final. "I remember I made a few phone calls to my family and I was like, 'I'm so nervous.' That game meant so much and I've probably never been that nervous before a game," she said. She views the anxiety as a positive sign of how much she cares.

From Vadstena to Arsenal's frontline

Born in 1996 in the small Swedish city of Vadstena, Blackstenius started playing football at age six for Vadstena FC. She also excelled in handball, a sport in which her sister Nina has represented Sweden. Blackstenius credits her upbringing, competing constantly with her siblings, for her ability to rise to the occasion. "I feel like I really am a small-town girl," she said, though she has grown to appreciate life in Stockholm and London.

International captain and key player for Sweden

Blackstenius made her senior debut for Sweden in 2015 and has since earned 127 caps, scoring 43 goals. She helped Sweden to third-place finishes at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cups. Recently named captain for Sweden's World Cup qualification matches, she continues to be a pivotal figure for her country. At the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, she scored crucial goals against England, Germany, and Poland, helping Sweden top Group C and advance to the quarterfinals.

Arsenal's unsung hero in a star-studded squad

While Arsenal boast players like Leah Williamson, Mariona Caldentey, and Alessia Russo, Blackstenius remains a vital but understated component of Renee Slegers' machine. In a recent 7-0 win over Leicester City, she scored twice in the first half before being substituted, with one eye on the Champions League semi-final second leg against Lyon. Her ability to deliver without fanfare has made her indispensable. As the season enters its decisive phase, her contributions could prove crucial in Arsenal's pursuit of domestic and European silverware.

A legacy of big-game performances

Blackstenius's knack for scoring in finals and high-stakes matches has earned her a reputation as a "clutch" player. Her late winner against Barcelona, combined with her League Cup final goals, underscores her composure under pressure. "Sometimes it's quite nice to feel these kinds of feelings because it shows how much you actually care and how much you want something," she said. With her new contract, Arsenal have secured a player who thrives in the moments that define seasons.

The bottom line

• Stina Blackstenius signed a new contract with Arsenal in April 2026, extending her stay at the club.
• She scored the winning goal in the 2025 Champions League final, Arsenal's first European title since 2007.
• Blackstenius has won all four finals she has played for Arsenal, including two League Cups and a FIFA Champions Cup.
• She has 43 goals in 127 appearances for Sweden and was recently named captain for World Cup qualifiers.
• Despite her shy personality, Blackstenius consistently delivers in high-pressure moments, earning a reputation as a clutch player.
• Her new contract secures a key component of Arsenal's squad as they pursue domestic and European success.