Arsenal duo recalled to international squad after extended absences | OneFootball

Arsenal trio Amanda Ilestedt, Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius have been called up to the Sweden squad for April’s Nations League clashes with Italy and Wales.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Amanda Ilestedt and Lina Hurtig have been recalled to the Sweden national team for April’s UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Wales, joining Stina Blackstenius to make it three Arsenal players in Peter Gerhardsson’s 26-player squad.

Ilestedt, 32, has not featured for Sweden in over a year after stepping away from football due to pregnancy. She returned to action for Arsenal in January, five months after giving birth to her first child.

Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

“She has been doing well at Arsenal and is back,” said Gerhardsson. “What she has delivered in the national team during our time is at a very high level. I had a dialogue with her before the last camp and felt then that it was a bit early. But it will be fun to have her back and see where she stands.”

Hurtig, 29, who hasn’t played for Sweden since the end of 2023 due to injury, returned to Arsenal action in October and is also included as the team looks ahead to this summer’s European Championship finals in Switzerland.

The squad features several returning names and one debutant in Cornelia Kapocs of Liverpool, while Rosa Kafaji, also of Arsenal, is named in the U23 squad instead.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Sweden squad for April 2025 Nations League matches

Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom (Vålerenga), Jennifer Falk (BK Häcken), Emma Holmgren (Levante)

Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Linköping), Nathalie Björn (Chelsea), Magdalena Eriksson (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (Arsenal), Emma Kullberg (Juventus), Hanna Lundkvist (San Diego), Amanda Nilden (Tottenham), Anna Sandberg (Manchester United), Linda Sembrant (Bayern Munich), Hanna Wijk (BK Häcken)

Midfielders/Forwards: Filippa Angeldahl (Real Madrid), Kosovare Asllani (London City), Hanna Bennison (Juventus), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Rebecka Blomqvist (Wolfsburg), Lina Hurtig (Arsenal), Sofia Jakobsson (London City), Madelen Janogy (Fiorentina), Cornelia Kapocs (Liverpool), Fridolina Rolfö (Barcelona), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea), Matilda Vinberg (Tottenham), Julia Zigiotti Olme (Bayern Munich)

Sweden host Italy on 4 April at Strawberry Arena, followed by Wales in Gothenburg on 8 April.