Wednesday 26 August 2015 10:44, UK
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin believes competition for places will ensure no one takes their first-team place for granted.
Bellerin is currently the first-choice right-back for the Gunners, having displaced France international Mathieu Debuchy last season, and thinks competition keeps the squad performing at their highest levels.
"I think the competition in every single position in the team is really strong. That's going to make the team train harder, perform better and grow as players," the 20-year-old told Arsenal's official website.
"We have to give our best. We know we can't relax, we know we can't take our starting position for granted when we have it.
"I think it's very good and all the successful teams have that kind of battle in every single spot because that keeps you on your feet and makes you perform better."
Bellerin, who started his career at Barcelona's youth academy, acknowledges that it will be difficult for him to nail down a starting spot after Debuchy returned from an injury-hit first season.
"Even when you think you're going to play you need to train hard because otherwise it's on to the next one and you're going to be on the bench," the Spain U21 international said.
"I know it's going to be difficult with Mathieu back now but I'm just going to keep training hard."
I know it's going to be difficult with Mathieu back now but I'm just going to keep training hard.
Bellerin made 28 appearances during an encouraging 2014/15 breakthrough campaign in which he scored his first professional goal and helped Arsenal win the FA Cup, and he has played down talk about 'second-season syndrome'.
"I've had a few people talk about second-season syndrome but I really don't believe in it," he said. "I think after a breakthrough season, what you have to do is keep going from where you left off.
"I've got the confidence knowing I've played 30 games already so I'm more confident in the games.
"It can always go both ways, it's very difficult in football to always perform at your best level. You're going to have ups and downs but that has got nothing to do with the first or second season."
