Mikel Arteta broke key Arsene Wenger transfer rule, but it has helped Arsenal

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Arsenal have seemingly taken another step under Mikel Arteta, as a summer of heavy recruitment has backed them with several new stars.

The Gunners have started well back in the Premier League, sitting top of the division at the October international break with a feeling that there could be more to come.

Strength and quality in depth have shone through in the early weeks of the season, as Mikel Arteta guides his team towards an improved campaign.

That has come with the help of the summer transfer window, one that saw roughly £250 million spent by Arsenal.

Despite some good recruitment, the market activity broke one rule outlined by Arsene Wenger a few years ago.

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Arsene Wenger was against too many signings at Arsenal

Arsenal went for it in the summer transfer window, doing everything they could to stock up the squad with plenty of talent.

That, however, may go against a general rule laid out by Arsene Wenger around ten years ago.

Speaking in 2016 about the club’s transfer policy, he said: “It is not just buying. We also have to keep a good balance.

“If you buy too many players, you destabilise your team. So three is the maximum.”

This was a sentiment quite clear from Wenger, who also said: “Firstly, [the demand for transfers] is most of the time to calm anxiety for the fans.

“It is reassuring to have a big name come in, and secondly, the media put you under pressure to get a new name.

“But let’s not forget that football is as well about cohesion, about stability. That goes a little bit against the demand of what people want, but I still think success is linked with talent and cohesion.

“You need competition, and competition exists if the numbers are not too short or not too big.”

That suggestion, mixed with the fact that he was only keen on three changes at the time, is a big difference from the moves Arsenal made.

Eight new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium have drawn the eye, potentially breaking that sacred rule from Wenger.

That is especially backed up by Arteta having to leave some stars out of the matchday squad altogether.

Despite that, it has seemingly helped Arsenal get better.

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Arsenal’s transfer squad depth has helped this season

While Arsenal have made plenty of signings, breaking that transfer rule, it has been seemingly necessary.

Injuries have already started to pile up, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard among those out of action.

While these would usually be big blows to the team, the arrival of other signings has only helped to cover for those problems.

Instead, Arsenal are able to field a competitive team in every match, learning from the mistakes of last season.

The real challenge comes when everyone is fit, but so far, that hasn’t been the case, and the Gunners are still going well.