Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain last season still hurts, with the manager saying the disappointment has become a major source of motivation for the current campaign.

Arsenal, who are among the leading contenders for the competition along with Bayern Munich, travel to Germany to face Bayern today.

The Gunners went ahead early against defending champions PSG in the final in Budapest in May, only for their opponents to level after the interval before Arsenal were beaten in a penalty shootout.

Asked whether his team had moved on from that defeat, Arteta replied: “I’ve tried, but I haven’t managed. That’s the reality.”

He said he had spent weeks over the summer attempting to put the result behind him, but the memories remain vivid. “Even today, when I see the ball, when I hear the music, when I see the images, I want it so badly,” he said.

Arteta believes the narrowest of margins separating Arsenal from European glory has sharpened the squad’s hunger. “We know we have to take it step by step, but I think it has ignited the team and every one of us individually, because we know that a penalty is the reason we are not European champions.”

The reigning English champions have made a strong opening to the new season, winning 10 of their 11 matches in all competitions, and they meet a Bayern side dealing with several selection concerns.

Bayern are already missing suspended winger Michael Olise and injured attacker Jamal Musiala, while coach Vincent Kompany, captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Joshua Kimmich are all doubts.

Arteta said he hoped Kompany would be on the touchline for Bayern, insisting Arsenal want to measure themselves against the strongest possible opposition as they look to develop at the highest European level.

“In games like this, you want to come up against the best players and compete with the best in the world,” Arteta said.

He praised Bayern’s organisation and mentality, adding: “First of all, you can see how exceptionally well coached they are, the mentality they possess, the belief they show in their reactions, and then the moments of genuine quality they are capable of producing during matches when you look at the goals and chances they create.”

Bayern forward Harry Kane arrives in outstanding form. The England captain, who spent a decade facing Arsenal as a Tottenham player, is also among the leading candidates for the Ballon d’Or, due to be presented in London in late October.

Arteta described Kane as “something else, on another level”, although he expressed confidence that Arsenal’s back line can handle the striker.

“They are tested plenty in the Premier League, and they have already been tested in the Champions League,” Arteta said.