Arsenal imploded last April but don't look like a team about to fall apart again

This time last year, Arsenal got the April shakes. Pressure on, minds unclear, all their good habits forgotten as precious points started to slip from their grasp.

They drew three in a row, before losing to Manchester City and then collapsed at Brighton, beaten by three goals as their title challenge imploded.

Twelve months on, and the signs are that Mikel Arteta’s team will not go the same way again. Call it a lesson learned, or simply the benefit of experience but they do not look anything like a team about to fall apart again.

They look strong and determined. They look better equipped, with the addition of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to their ranks adding not only physical presence but enhancing their mentality and with it their desire to win.

Havertz made the vital contribution here, as Arsenal reversed that 3-0 defeat and remained in step with City, who won equally convincingly earlier on Saturday at the other end of the M23. His was the second of the game, scored from close range in the 62nd minute, stretching the lead after Bukayo Saka’s penalty in the first half.

His was the goal to bring order to an unruly contest, offering the visitors an element of control and forcing Brighton to venture more freely out of defence, and presenting the chance for Leandro Trossard to score the third on the break, released by Havertz.

Arsenal might have taken control soon had it not been for a rash of poor finishing, at the start of the game.

Gabriel Magalhaes ought to have scored with only a minute on the clock, from a free kick delivered by Martin Odegaard from the Arsenal left and headed wide. Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen left his line in a bid to cut out the curling cross but never came close and Gabriel planted a header