Carlos Baleba has set his sights on a consistent starting role with Albion.

But the midfielder said that cannot be the only focus of his second season in the Premier League.

Baleba generally impressed in the XI which kicked off the 1-1 draw at Arsenal going into the international break.

Competition will become more intense when players return from injury.

But the former Lille powerhouse, 20, is keen to build on his debut campaign.

He said: “This is my second season at Brighton.

“I have ambitions to be a starter in this team but it is not just starting games which will make me into a great player.

“It’s being focused, the mentality, what I do on the pitch, working hard. The role as a starter will come with that.

“And it’s helping my team to win games and be high up in the table.”

Baleba said he had “a few small regrets” about not going into the break with maximum points after Albion played almost half the game at the Emirates against ten men.

But he recognised there were positives to take from an away point having trailed in the first half.

He said: “There was a very precise plan against Martin Odegaard for the team and especially for me.

“It wasn’t easy at the start but we were able to help and support each other.

“Even though we conceded a goal we kept our heads high, we believed in ourselves and in our qualities to go and get the win or a draw.

“We have a good record going into the international break, seven points from three games. We will come back with our heads high, with cool heads and continue to battle hard to win matches.”