Story perspectives

Arsenal Women Host Lyon in CL Semifinal, Blackstenius Returns

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Arsenal women will host Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League semifinal leg on April 25.
Stina Blackstenius, last season’s final scorer, will sign a contract and lead Arsenal.
Alessia Russo, the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, partners with Blackstenius.
Lyon, unbeaten in Division 1 Féminine with 18 wins in 20, lost the Champions League quarter-final leg to VfL Wolfsburg.
The semifinal winner will advance to the final in Oslo on May 23.

History

Historical Context

Arsenal’s 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup win, the first major European trophy for an English women’s club, broke the dominance of Swedish side Umeå and began England’s rise in continental competition. Since then French Lyon have amassed a record eight Champions League titles, making Arsenal’s 2024 semifinal against them a clash between the competition’s original underdog and its most successful power.

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Story summary

Arsenal women will host Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League semifinal leg on April 25.
Stina Blackstenius, last season’s final scorer, will sign a contract and lead Arsenal.
Alessia Russo, the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, partners with Blackstenius.
Lyon, unbeaten in Division 1 Féminine with 18 wins in 20, lost the Champions League quarter-final leg to VfL Wolfsburg.
The semifinal winner will advance to the final in Oslo on May 23.

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