In Focus: Gunners need Black magic to tame Wolfsburg

Stina Blackstenius' first-leg equaliser has left Arsenal's Women's Champions League semi-final with Wolfsburg on a knife edge.

The Swedish striker applied the finishing touch to a fine team move, earning the Gunners an impressive 2-2 draw in Germany having fallen two goals behind early on.

Ahead of tonight's second leg at the Emirates, we look at how important Blackstenius will be as the North Londoners look to reach a first continental final since 2007.

Big reputation

Blackstenius joined the Gunners last January on a free transfer from BK Hacken in her homeland, where she has long been established as a household name.

In her last season with Hacken, Blackstenius topped both the goal and assist charts in the Swedish Damallsvenskan and picked up a fifth piece of career silverware in the form of the Swedish Cup.

Those exploits even earned her a place on the 20-woman Ballon d'Or shortlist — meaning Gunners fans were understandably excited about her arrival.

Linking up with her compatriot and Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall, the move looked like a match made in heaven.

Finding her feet

It is fair to say that Blackstenius has endured a mixed time of things so far in England, however.

Though seven goals in 16 appearances was a promising return from her maiden campaign, the 27-year-old has blown hot and cold for the Gunners in 2022-23.

Having featured in all 17 of her side's Women's Super League matches to date, Blackstenius has just six goals from those outings — with all six coming against bottom-half sides.

She has looked far more at home in Europe though, with her equaliser against Wolfsburg representing a ninth direct goal involvement (five goals, four assists) in just 11 outings including qualifiers.

Testing circumstances

It is not difficult to see why the Swede has struggled to bring her very best form to the table.

Arsenal have suffered a real injury crisis this term, with Leah Williamson and Kim Little the latest additions to an absentee list that also includes star forwards Beth Mead and Viv Miedema.

Blackstenius had forged a particularly promising partnership with Miedema prior to the Dutch ace's ACL tear in December, with the duo having linked up for several strikes.

With her colleagues sidelined, there are far less chances for the No25 to convert — and far more responsibility on her shoulders.

Add in the task of trying to adapt to the rigours of English football and it is little wonder Blackstenius' best performances have came on the continental stage.

Hard worker

Arsenal were under significant pressure for long periods in the Wolfsburg Arena, with Blackstenius and her fellow forwards starved of chances and possession.

But one thing the imposing striker always offers is an impressive work rate, with her goal coming as just reward for tireless running and consistently clever movement.

Speaking after the first leg, Blackstenius said: "It takes a lot. It is a tough game, they are a good opponent and we have to run a lot because we have to defend. 

"For me, I want to be a player that runs a lot and when the game is like this, I like the opportunities to do this."

Big occasion

Arsenal come into this evening's clash as underdogs but will have a crowd of over 60,000 in attendance at the Emirates roaring them on.

Though the visitors are likely to have the lion's share of possession, Blackstenius will give Wolfsburg's backline plenty to think about throughout the contest.

With her confidence arguably as high as it has ever been in England, the stars may well be aligning for her to produce a match-winning performance.