Shearer Praises Arsenal Mentality and Lewis-Skelly Impact

Alan Shearer believes there has been a “huge change” in Arsenal’s mentality after Mikel Arteta’s side reached the Champions League final.

Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal just before half-time. The result secured a 2-1 aggregate victory and sent Arsenal into the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

Arteta’s side are also still fighting for the Premier League title, and their recent week has changed the mood around the club. Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0, watched Manchester City drop points, then followed that by overcoming Atletico in one of the biggest European nights of the Emirates era.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer said he felt a clear shift inside the stadium during the Atletico win.

“I just feel as if there’s been a change in Arsenal and change of mentality in terms of how positive everything is after Saturday, after Monday, when City drew, and then last evening.

“I just think there’s been a huge change in attitude and everyone’s together, everyone’s all excited rather than nervy and edgy. I think Atletico, I don’t think they were great, they certainly lacked a bit of quality up front, but I thought Arsenal did more than enough and were without doubt the best team and deserved to get through.”

Arsenal have faced a significant amount of pressure in recent weeks after dropping points against Bournemouth and Man City. 

The Atletico tie was another test of that development. Arsenal were not always fluent, particularly in the second half, but they defended the lead with discipline and showed the kind of game management needed in knockout football.

Shearer also highlighted Myles Lewis-Skelly’s role in Arsenal’s midfield, with the teenager trusted again by Arteta after impressing against Fulham.

“You know what he does, Micah? Very different to what Zubimendi does,” Shearer said.

“When he gets the ball, his first thought is forward. Can I pass it forward? And I think that makes a huge difference for Arsenal rather than getting the ball and going sideways and across and allowing teams to get their shape.

“I think he can make that defence-splitting pass or through the midfield into the forwards and I think that makes a huge difference for them.”

Micah Richards had also praised Lewis-Skelly’s display, saying: “Myles Lewis-Skelly, brilliant. What a performance.”

Lewis-Skelly’s emergence has given Arteta another option at a crucial stage of the season. His energy and willingness to pass forward have helped Arsenal play with more momentum in recent games, and his performance against Atletico showed he can handle the weight of a major European occasion.

Arsenal’s attention will quickly return to the Premier League, with West Ham next as they continue their title push. But the broader feeling has changed. They have reached the Champions League final, key players are returning to form and Arteta’s side have given themselves a chance to end the season with major honours.

For Shearer, the shift is not only about results. It is about the confidence and atmosphere around Arsenal at the decisive stage of the campaign.