Arsenal vs. Newcastle: Key Takeaways from Arsene Wenger's Pre-Game Presser

Arsene Wenger believes he doesn't need to dip into the January transfer market if his Arsenal squad returns to full fitness.

The Gunners boss spoke prior to Saturday's clash with Newcastle United, which sees two sides locked on 23 Premier League points do battle at the Emirates. Perhaps worryingly for many supporters, Wenger has suggested adding further quality to his side isn't a priority, per Arsenal's official Twitter feed:

It's certainly brave for the under-pressure manager to offer comments of this ilk. Many fans are fed up with Arsenal's lack of progress—one trophy in a decade isn't enough after an era of success—and have called for Wenger to step down.

This was evident when an anti-Wenger banner appeared in the away end at West Bromwich Albion, and indeed, when supporters verbally abused the manager after defeat to Stoke City.

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Obvious weaknesses continue to undermine Arsenal's squad. The lack of a powerful defensive midfielder is inexplicable at this point and is of the utmost importance when January arrives. Wenger's comments suggest a return to fitness for Abou Diaby could stop him making a move, but whether the injury-prone Frenchman is healthy or not, his long-term condition can't be counted on.

In 2013, talkSPORT suggested Diaby had suffered in excess of 36 injuries at the club. This has only developed since then, with the 28-year-old playing just 16 minutes of Premier League football since the end of the 2012-13 campaign, per WhoScored.com.

He offers physicality, long strides forward and aerial presence, but it's unlikely Diaby will ever deliver on the potential he once showed.

Similarly, Wenger's comments play down the need for new defenders. Arsenal have been caught horribly short at the back this campaign, largely due to the manager's inability to replace Thomas Vermaelen with another experienced star.

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Calum Chambers has played a hefty 1,591 minutes at right-back or centre-back, per WhoScored, and he will need a rest as the season progresses.

The 19-year-old exerts an energetic game, but Wenger doesn't have enough cover to deal with the busy schedule. Hector Bellerin has experienced a baptism of fire in the first team, while Nacho Monreal has worked hard to make up for Laurent Koscielny's absence. One injury, as seen with Mathieu Debuchy, has the power to rock Wenger's side to the very core.

Supporters will at least be pleased to hear Arsenal's attacking options are ready to face Newcastle, per the team's feed:

B/R UK's James McNicholas recently described why Wenger will remain under pressure even if decent form is strung together:

Magpies boss Alan Pardew suggested Wenger is the "second best manager in Premier League history" prior to the match, as reported by Craig Hope of the Daily Mail. Only Sir Alex Ferguson outweighs the man who "should" have the Emirates Stadium "named after him," according to Pardew.

As reported by Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World, this isn't something Wenger is counting on:

Victory for Arsenal will put them three points clear of Newcastle. This is perhaps vital on a weekend which sees West Ham United and Southampton—fourth and fifth respectively—face lowly Burnley and Sunderland. Manchester United also take on Liverpool in a match which will ensure at least one of Arsenal's competitors drops points. 

The side's recent loss to Stoke ensures the pressure is on. Wenger needs to deploy an attacking team to push Newcastle onto the back foot, or else the visitors' counter-attacking power may prove decisive.