Brighton sporting director Jason Ayto believes the club's worldwide data bank of players provides a substantial competitive advantage over rivals, including his former employer Arsenal, in an exclusive interview with The Athletic.

Ayto, 40, joined Brighton in September after 11 years at Arsenal, where he worked his way up from analyst to interim sporting director following Edu's departure. He was a strong candidate for the permanent role before Andrea Berta was appointed.

"It's a huge competitive advantage for us, part of the DNA of the club," Ayto said of owner Tony Bloom's secretive database. "It's a big marker — something that people look at from the outside and are very envious of — so I'm very glad to be on this side of it."

Ayto has forged a close working relationship with head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who turns 33 in February. The dynamic pairing has helped Brighton maintain their competitive position in the Premier League's top half.

"I think I talk to him more than (I do to) my wife," Ayto said. "He's so talented, so hungry to learn. We are really, really fortunate to have a coach of his calibre."

Hurzeler recorded the most points for a Brighton coach after 50 Premier League games. Ayto said understanding the German's tactical vision helps him identify players who fit the club's style.

Brighton traditionally conduct most business in the summer transfer window. Ayto, a fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaker, said the club remains methodical in monitoring the market for opportune deals.

"We'll always be very strategic," Ayto said. "If it's not right and it all doesn't line up, then we have to wait for the summer and we go again."

Two prominent talking points involve midfielder Carlos Baleba and striker Evan Ferguson. Baleba is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon after struggling to rediscover last season's form that attracted sustained interest from Manchester United.

"He's getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on," Ayto said. "I think he's going to go from strength to strength in the second half of the season."

Ferguson is on loan at Roma after goals dried up at Brighton. Despite recent struggles, he scored twice in a 3-0 win against Celtic in the Europa League.

"Every player has a different journey," Ayto said. "We just want to support Evan's development and be happy playing football and scoring goals."

Ayto's first significant call came with the recent departure of head of medicine Florian Pfab, a highly-qualified German doctor who had been at the club for only 18 months.

"That's never easy; it's really tough to do, and you have to own that," Ayto said. "When the decision's clear and it's a collaborative decision within the club by the decision-makers, we make that call and we do it in the right way."

Brighton return to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, where they have thrived recently with two wins and a draw from their past four league visits.