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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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They led 4-0 at half-time, with Blackstenius then withdrawn, perhaps with one eye on Saturday’s European second leg in France.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.”
Stina Blackstenius has made 106 appearances for Arsenal but only started 55 times in all competitions [Getty Images]
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.
Advertisement
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.
It is the profile of a big-game player, showing up when her team needs her the most and why she signed a new two-year contract last week.
Advertisement
Why Blackstenius doesn’t hit headlines
Such a gamechanger would usually be in the limelight – but that is not a role Blackstenius plays.
Happy to stay in the background, she rarely does interviews and when a microphone is before her, she gives little away.
“I really like Stina – she doesn’t get the credit she deserves,” Scotland defender Rachel Corsie told Sky Sports. “She is one of the best in the WSL no doubt, so difficult to play against and she does defensive work too.”
But while pundits praise her tenacity, her humility and her goalscoring impact, Blackstenius is not the perfect player.
Advertisement
Returning to the statistics since January 2022, she has been caught offside far more than anyone else, despite not playing as many minutes as most.
Then there are the misses, with 58 big chances spurned in four years.
That is second again only to Shaw, but given the Jamaica striker has scored more than double the number of goals, she probably has more credit in the bank.
It could be why Blackstenius is sometimes reduced to a bit-part role at Emirates Stadium – or perhaps it is the standard of competition.
After all, she is up against one of the best strikers in the world in Russo, England heroes Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead, £1m Canada winger Olivia Smith and Arsenal stalwart Caitlin Foord for a starting spot.
Advertisement
Not that the former Linkoping, Montpellier and BK Hacken forward is complaining.
She added: “We have so much quality in this team and we are a really good group that wants to support each other. I feel safe in this group and I know my team-mates have my back.
“This club feels a lot like home.”
It has also been the home of the Champions League trophy for the past year. If they avoid defeat against eight-time winners Lyon, Arsenal will have the chance of notable back-to-back titles.
[BBC]
Listen to Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast as the season heads towards an exciting conclusion. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed