Arsenal’s sole defeat in last season’s Champions League league phase came away to Inter Milan, and Mikel Arteta is determined for his side to demonstrate how far they have come when they face the Italians again, this time with their unbeaten European record on the line.

The Gunners travel to San Siro sitting top of the standings with a perfect points tally, the only team yet to lose in this season’s competition as the league phase reaches its penultimate matchday.

A year ago, Arsenal were edged out 1-0 by Inter in Milan, and Arteta is braced for another demanding contest on Tuesday night. Inter, who finished runners-up in both the Champions League and Serie A last season, are once again leading the Italian top flight under new head coach Cristian Chivu. Arsenal, meanwhile, are setting the pace in the Premier League after three consecutive second-place finishes.

“It’s a very similar context to last year,” Arteta said on Monday. “Obviously, the situation the two teams are in now is a bit different. They have a new manager as well, who has added some different elements to their identity and the way they play.

“I think the challenge will be just as difficult. But when we watched last year’s game back, we felt we gave a really strong performance and lost by the finest margin, through a penalty.”

Arteta is eager for Arsenal to maintain their momentum, with the North London side currently 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions, and believes confidence and consistency are vital at this stage of the season.

“Performances and results have a big emotional impact on the team, on confidence,” he said. “The objective tomorrow is to come here and win the game. That’s a step we didn’t take last year, and we need to show that we are better than we were then.”

While the focus is firmly on Inter, Arsenal also have one eye on a challenging domestic fixture this weekend, when they host a resurgent Manchester United side that defeated Manchester City 2-0 under interim boss Michael Carrick.

“We keep telling the players that the next game is the most important one of the season, and then three days later we say the same again,” Arteta explained. “That’s the level of demand and expectation we’ve set. We’re embracing it with enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment.”

A draw in Milan would be enough to secure Arsenal’s place in the Champions League last 16, while a victory would guarantee a top-two finish and home advantage in the knockout stages all the way through to the semi-finals.

“That would be massive,” Arteta said. “We’re fully aware of what’s at stake, and if we win tomorrow, that’s what we achieve. So let’s go and make it happen.”

Inter head into the clash sixth in the Champions League table on 12 points, having lost their last two matches in the competition, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.