SOCCER/ Champions League, Group B Inter Milan v Arsenal: Offering a rare insight into what makes him tick, Arsene Wenger said yesterday that he did not look back at what he had won but only at his failures. Such perfectionism drives the Arsenal manager, but he realises positive memories also have a value.

Before tonight's crucial game at Internazionale, the Frenchman will encourage his players to think back 12 months to a notable triumph. It was almost a year ago when Arsenal won 3-1 at Roma, and a similar scoreline on Italian soil is required now.

Wenger's team have not won on their European travels in four attempts since then but know victory alone will guarantee avoiding another early Champions League exit and leave their fate in their own hands.

Having scored late at home to Dynamo Kiev to stay in contention for the knockout phases, Arsenal need to follow that up in the far more testing surrounds of San Siro and provide the type of display they have not managed in this competition since they won in Rome.

Wenger said that going out would not constitute a "disaster" for Arsenal's future, but it would be a financial and psychological blow to a club short of transfer funds and so far unable to match their domestic success on the continent. When they won at Roma there was talk of conquering Europe; Wenger would never have thought he would still be waiting for the next away victory.

"I wouldn't have imagined that," he said, "but we have to cope with the situation and get some positives from the Roma game because we went to Italy and won at a moment when nobody expected us to win. Last time we came to Italy we were capable of doing it, so why not do it tomorrow night?"

Wenger could remind his players that they came from a goal down in Rome. He wants them to remain positive even if they fall behind to an Inter team who beat them 3-0 at Highbury. "What happened in Rome is good inspiration," the manager said.

Arsenal have too often not shown their best in Europe and must demonstrate they are the genuine heavyweights they believe. Wenger talked glowingly about the club's future, saying there were more "good young players" than he has known at Highbury, but admitted: "We cannot say we prepare for the future. When you want to be a big club you have to perform tomorrow."

Wenger prepares without Patrick Vieira, Lauren, Dennis Berkgamp and Sylvain Wiltord and with Gilberto Silva an injury doubt.

Wenger re-emphasised the need for goalscoring pressure to be taken off Thierry Henry, who could well be partnered by Nwankwo Kanu. But the Arsenal manager admitted even success in this trophy would not fulfil him.

"I accept now that I will never be completely fulfilled as a coach, whatever I do, because I will always have problems to accept you can lose a competition," he said. "When I look back on my career I never look at what I have won but always at what I lost."

With Lokomotiv Moscow's game at home to Dynamo Kiev finishing before this one starts, Arsenal will know whether a draw or even defeat could keep them in the competition, albeit without control of their own destiny. Unless Kiev win, a point would leave them with hope at home to Lokomotiv. If Kiev and Lokomotiv draw, they would not be out even if they lose here but would be reliant on Inter winning in Ukraine.

Wenger, though, prefers to ignore such possibilities. "For us it's clear," he said. "We have to win the game if we want to stay in the competition. So it's just down to us."

ARSENAL (4-4-2, probable): Lehmann; Toure, Campbell, Cygan, Cole; Ljungberg, Parlour, Edu, Pires; Kanu, Henry.

INTERNAZIONALE (3-4-3, probable): Toldo; Cordoba, Materazzi, Cannavaro; J Zanetti, C Zanetti, Almeyda, Brechet; Van der Meyde, Vieri, Martins.

Guardian Service