Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal claims lack of transfer activity has helped the Gunners

Nacho Monreal thinks Arsenal's lack of transfer activity has actually aided the club. The 29-year-old defender claims Arsene Wenger's reluctance to splash the cash in the transfer market has helped the Gunners' squad to gel over recent years.

The North London club have tended to supplement their squad with one or two additions each year, rather than having a mass changeover of players as some clubs have done.

"In the last few years we have played with the same players. Every summer, we have signed one, two or a maximum of three players. The team is practically the same group so that is very important,' Monreal told Arsenal's official website.

"It is very important the atmosphere in the dressing room. It is mandatory to have a really good relationship with your teammates, we are like a unit. You play like a unit and you spend a lot of time with them."

The Arsenal defender claimed the sense of unity among the players has been key to their good results this season. "I can see now there is only one group," he said. "We are together and in every moment the atmosphere is amazing – this is very important to get trophies. If you want to win something it is necessary to have a good group."

Monreal also thinks the current Arsenal squad is the strongest he has encountered during his time with the club. "Arsenal is not 11 players, we are 24 amazing players and when one is injured, the other player could play really well," the Spaniard said. "We have really good players and really good people. In my opinion, it is better than ever."