HE might have started the season as Sunderland’s number one but Simon Mignolet admits he isn’t taking his place in Steve Bruce’s starting line-up for granted.

Mignolet has been ever present in goal this season having started all seven of their Premier League fixtures to date.

The Belgium international is likely to continue when Bruce’s side travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal this Sunday, but the 23-year-old knows things could change at anytime.

The summer arrival of Keiren Westwood has offered extra competition for Mignolet with Craig Gordon also working his way back to full fitness following a serious knee injury.

But Mignolet admits the competition for places within the squad should be expected and he believes it will only help develop his game further.

“That’s what you’re going to get, competition is good for you,” said Mignolet, who played in Belgium’s Euro 2012 qualifier win over Kazakhstan on Friday.

“In every Premier League team there’s competition, not only for a goalkeeper but in every position.

“Everybody has to fight hard in training to prove yourself and get in the team at the weekend.

“That’s normal and you’re only going to get better from it.

“The gaffer brought in a lot of players because he wants to get everyone on their toes and have them prepared for every training session and every game.

“I’m still learning because it’s only my second season and I haven’t played 35 games yet.

“I just want to look to myself, try and improve myself every day and work hard in training. Then we’ll see what’s going to happen in the end.

“I was hopeful of starting the season in goal because I played last season when Craig was injured. The only thing you can do is prove yourself in pre-season and in training. Then it was up to the gaffer to make a decision.”

And with a new-look defence in front of him this season, Mignolet reveals he is already benefiting from the arrival of former Manchester United duo John O’Shea and Wes Brown.

He said: “A lot of experience came into the team with Sheasy and Wes.

They can help the young lads out and you can see it.

“Especially against teams like Stoke who are difficult to defend against, they know how to do it. You can only learn from them.

“They give me confidence as well. When I was playing against Stoke Sheasy was speaking directly to me, saying ‘keep doing it, keep doing it’. It helps you.

“If you play that amount of games for Manchester United, you are expected to be a good defender.”