Hector Bellerin believes competition for starting places at Arsenal is helping the team to develop and grow stronger as they seek to mount a Premier League title challenge.
Bellerin, 20, is currently Arsene Wenger's No. 1 right-back, usurping Mathieu Debuchy last season following the France international's injury problems.
The Gunners sit ninth in the table after collecting just four points from their opening three games of the season, but Bellerin says the battle for starting spots is making Wenger's players better.
"I think the competition in every single position in the team is really strong," the Spain under-21 international told the Arsenal Weekly podcast. "That's going to make the team train harder, perform better and grow as players.
"We have to give our best. We know we can't relax, we know we can't take out starting position for granted when we have it.
"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.
"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.
"I know it's going to be difficult with Mathieu back now but I'm just going to keep training hard."
Bellerin has kept his starting spot this season despite Debuchy's return to fitness, and the young defender says his first-team opportunities last season have given him the confidence to keep his experienced rival out of the team.
"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.
"People say 'Yeah, but people know how you play now' but 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.
"I just need to keep training and playing the way I was last year, keep learning and keep getting experience, and hopefully having some good performances."