'I forgot already' – Mikel Arteta plays dumb about Arsenal's collapse last season as Gunners maintain push for Premier League title

Mikel Arteta says he's "forgotten" Arsenal's collapse last season as his side maintained their Premier League title hopes by thumping Brighton.

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• Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 at the Amex
• Saka, Havertz, & Trossard all score
• Arteta 'forgotten' last season's collapse

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arsenal went top of the Premier League with an impressive 3-0 win at the Amex on Saturday. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and former Brighton man Leandro Trossard ensured they leapfrogged Liverpool and Manchester City to top the pile by a solitary point. After the match, Gunners manager Arteta was asked about how his side threw away their lead at the top of the league – with the Spaniard responding in a seemingly oblivious manner.

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  WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

  When it was put to the 42-year-old about what happened to Arsenal at this stage of the season last year, he told reporters, via Football London: "I forgot already."

  Arteta added: "I don't know [if there is a difference in his side's mentality this season]. I think we’re in a really good moment. We have the squad healthy with a really good energy and a lot of confidence individually and collectively. We have to just keep doing what we’re doing."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal are appearing to show a steeliness in the final stretch of this season, something which was not apparent last term as they wilted under pressure from Manchester City. However, there is still seven games to go and at this stage last season the Gunners had a bigger advantage over City and blew it. Whether they can hold their nerve and win their first Premier League title since 2004 remains to be seen.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal, who could be overtaken at the top if Liverpool beat Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, next face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, followed by hosting fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League next Sunday.