The striker quietly making a big noise at Arsenal

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'Arsenal feels like home' - Blackstenius on contract extension

Stina Blackstenius picked herself up off the Emirates Stadium turf, gave a gentle high five to Arsenal team-mate Smilla Holmberg and allowed a slight smile to cross her lips.

It was her second goal in an accomplished first-half performance from her side against troubled Leicester City on Wednesday - and she celebrated in typically understated fashion.

Because that is what the tall Sweden striker does - scores goals and gets on with the game.

A vital component of Renee Slegers' increasingly effective Arsenal machine, Blackstenius does her job without fuss, but usually with maximum impact.

And as the season enters its decisive part, this talented but under-the-radar forward could prove crucial in the Gunners' quest for silverware.

The undeniable impact of Blackstenius in big games

Arsenal's bid for domestic and European glory is decorated by football royalty - the commanding presence of England captain Leah Williamson at the back, the ball control of Spain's Mariona Caldentey in midfield, the clinical edge of Lionesses striker Alessia Russo - but the real success is in their squad strength.

The crushing win over Leicester was testament to that. Slegers made five changes from the team that beat Lyon in their Champions League semi-final first-leg tie and the replacements purred.

They led 4-0 at half-time, with Blackstenius then withdrawn, perhaps with one eye on Saturday's European second leg in France.

Being taken off is a different experience for the 30-year-old, who has been involved in more Women's Super League (WSL) goals as a substitute (15 goals, two assists) than any other player since January 2022.

"I just try to see what the game looks like and what I can come on and bring," she said. "I give it my all and I love to score for this club."

Arguably her most telling intervention was almost 12 months ago, when she came on in the Champions League final against Barcelona and scored the 74th-minute winner only seven minutes later with only her third touch.

It sparked wild celebrations and viral video clips of Arsenal players singing her name to the tune of Culture Club's 1980s hit Karma Chameleon.

No-one should have been surprised by her impact.

Since her Arsenal debut four years ago, the Swede has scored 13 winning goals in the WSL - only Manchester City's Khadija Shaw (25) has scored more.

On top of that, Blackstenius has also scored 13 goals in either quarter-finals, semi-finals or finals for her club, including both the 2023 and 2024 League Cup showpieces to help the Gunners triumph.