MIDFIELD star Harry Arter defended Cherries’ January spending and then backed Eddie Howe’s investments to pay off for the Dorset club.

Arter’s comments came after MK Dons boss Karl Robinson had joined a growing list of opposition managers to highlight Cherries’ resources this season.

Rival outfits and their supporters have often referred to Cherries’ financial muscle since Russian businessman Maxim Demin became the club’s co-owner.

Cherries were understood to have spent more than £800,000 in signing Brett Pitman, Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie during the transfer window.

Speaking after Cherries’ 3-0 win at MK Dons on Saturday, Robinson claimed the Dean Court outfit had splashed “millions upon millions of pounds”.

After Brentford met Cherries last month, Bees manager Uwe Rosler suggested his opponents had the “best resources in the league”.

But Cherries playmaker Arter insisted Howe had recruited wisely and pointed to the capture of highly-rated winger Matt Ritchie as evidence.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think it can only be good for the club.

“We know we have got a good squad here and the latest couple of signings are only going to improve us.

“Matty is probably one of the best players in the league. To get him on board is only going to strengthen us and it will hit Swindon a little bit. It is a blow for them to lose someone of his quality.”

Arter, Cherries’ 23-year-old playmaker, continued: “The gaffer knows what he is doing.

“In fairness to him, I have not really seen him make a bad signing – and that is including me!

“He has made good signings and he knows a good player. He doesn’t just sign a good player, he signs someone he feels will fit in within the group and someone who is fit and hungry. His latest couple of signings fit that bill.”

Arter hit his sixth goal in 28 appearances this season as Cherries moved into third position with victory over MK Dons.

The former Charlton Athletic trainee believes the result will have sent a clear message to Cherries’ rivals.

He added: “To win the past three games and especially to win in the fashion we did on Saturday was a good statement and a good confidence boost.

“Five or six games ago, when we were on our unbeaten run, teams were probably fearing us.

“When we lost at Walsall, it was probably a question of ‘has their bubble burst?’ But I think it is clear to see it has definitely not burst. Every team has a hiccup and to go to MK Dons and win 3-0 was a great result.”