That year of success, of course, featured many of the present players at its nucleus with the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars also on board.

Now, however, Wenger says Arsenal have back-up to Robert Pires, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp’s skills.

Arsenal, still on course for a Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup treble, can regain first place in the title race with a win over Derby tonight.

Of the differences between now and then, Wenger said: ‘‘I think the task is bigger because we are in the Champions League and we were not that year. It demands a lot of concentration and the team, the squad is better.

‘‘I don’t think in 1998 we could have afforded to play without 10 players at Newcastle, who were second in the league.

‘‘The team now is linked with more ambition. We had 14 or 15 players at the time now we have 20 to 23 who can cope with top-level football.’’

After that stunning win at St James’ Park last Saturday, Wenger revealed he believed his team were good enough to emulate Manchester United’s 1999 treble achievement.

Ahead of John Gregory’s side’s visit, he added: ‘‘I just want to take the club as far as I can and like at every big club it is a construction there is a scaffolding you build up and up and up.

‘‘The club now has recognition in Europe but we want more and there is still a lot to bring.

‘‘We want to become the biggest club in the world. People before me have done a lot, I want to go further and I hope people after me will go further. I believe the club is in progression, it is on the move.

‘‘If you look at the potential of Arsenal with the new stadium, you cannot say you want to be the second best in the world.’’

Wenger added that Arsenal could cope without Henry should they lose him when he goes before a Football Association disciplinary hearing tomorrow after his tirade at referee Graham Poll in the home defeat by Newcastle in December.

With Bergkamp, Kanu and Sylvain Wiltord at his disposal and £8m (€13m) Francis Jeffers available again soon Wenger suggests he has quality cover.

But he is hopeful his 28-goal striker who returns tonight after a groin problem will, nevertheless, escape punishment.

‘‘We know he will get one, two, three (games) or nothing. Because I am optimistic I think he will get nothing.

‘‘Afterwards we will accept anything that they decide. I will just say that he has not incited or touched the referee.’’

Wenger added: ‘‘We have won games without him and I still think anyway at some stage we will need to give him a breather.’’

A scan on the problem groin, aggravated in the 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen last midweek, showed no lasting damage and Henry is joined in the squad by Ray Parlour, following suspension.

Wenger is also acutely aware that taking advantage of tired Derby legs they kick-off in north London just 50 hours after John Gregory’s struggling side exited the field in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United will send out further signals of intent to their title rivals.

It is 16 matches without defeat for the Gunners, a run which started with a crucial 2-1 success over Liverpool at Anfield in December.

‘‘The best way to win things is to have the right attitude and commitment and we have that, so that’s a good basis to do it.

‘‘We have shown the qualities needed to win the championship and that is why I am very pleased. We are even more in a position where it is in our hands now.

‘‘We have a consistent performance level and of course the result at Newcastle was a pivotal moment I would put it in the same range as the Liverpool result.

‘‘It is not a definite step but it is an important step because if we hadn’t won at Liverpool they would have been nine points ahead of us.

‘‘The fact that we won there and then at Newcastle is very important to us in the title race.’’