Mikel Arteta is confident that Arsenal have learned the lessons from last season’s damaging derby defeat at Tottenham, which sparked their late collapse in the top-four race.

The Gunners headed across north London in May knowing victory would have secured their return to the Champions League.

But Arteta’s side imploded, losing 3-0 after Rob Holding was sent off during the first half, to allow Spurs back into the top-four hunt.

Mikel Arteta has backed his Arsenal stars to put May's North London Derby defeat right

The two sides meet at the Emirates on Saturday, in what promises to be another highly-charged clash. But Arteta believes his side will not make the same mistakes again.

‘It’s a different context,’ he said. 

‘We went into that game with many different circumstances, in terms of players we had available, not available, what happened during the game.

‘You take the lessons, you learn from it and you move on, that’s it.’ 

When asked if Arsenal had heeded those lessons, the Spaniard said: ‘Yes.’

Arsenal have made a fine start to this season, despite the lingering pain of that night.

‘Every defeat leaves a scar. It was a big learning point and hopefully the experience has made us better as a team,’ Arteta said.

‘If you want to play in the Champions League then you have to be able to get through moments where the pressure is on. 

'That day we didn’t do it, from our side and from decisions that were made in that game.’