Stina Blackstenius signs new Arsenal contract

Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius has signed a new contract that ends the recent uncertainty about her future with the Gunners.

Blackstenius, who arrived from Swedish side BK Hacken in January 2022 after also being heavily linked with Manchester United, was due to be out of contract at the end of next month.

The 28-year-old was missing from Arsenal’s matchday squad on the final day of the WSL season and European giants like Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been linked. But, given that Arsenal are already parting with club legend Vivianne Miedema this summer after she wasn't offered a fresh deal, it will come as a boost that Blackstenius is now set to stay.

"I'm so happy to have signed a new contract here at Arsenal," the player told the club’s official website. "In the space of two and a half years, this club has come to feel like home – that’s thanks to my teammates and the staff of course, but most of all because of our wonderful supporters. There is such a special atmosphere around this club and we are all hungry to achieve more together."

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, who has continued to put his own stamp on the squad since taking charge in the summer of 2021, described his fellow Swede as a "top class striker" and praised her all-round game beyond the obvious strength as a goalscorer.

Blackstenius scored 18 goals across all competitions in 2023/24, matching her tally from the previous campaign and making her Arsenal’s top scorer ahead of Alessia Russo (16) and Beth Mead (9). Despite Arsenal finishing five points off the pace in the end, she also played a huge role in the title race by scoring twice off the bench in the last few minutes against Manchester City in early May.

In March, she scored the extra-time winner as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the Conti Cup final.

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