Jack Rodwell calls for Everton response to Stoke defeat

Image caption, Rodwell has two goals in 13 appearances for Everton this season

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has urged his team to put behind them when the Blues travel to Arsenal on Saturday.

Rodwell returned from a rib injury as a substitute against the Potters.

He told : "Hopefully we'll rise to the occasion at the Emirates because they're playing really well.

"I didn't think we deserved the defeat against Stoke but we've got to bounce back as early as possible."

Everton and Arsenal are separated in the Premier League table by 10 points, with the Gunners fifth and unbeaten in their last seven league matches.

It will also be the first chance former Blue Mikel Arteta will have to play against his former side, since his .

"It'll be a big opportunity for us to play against our old teammate Mikel, and hopefully we can put one over him," Rodwell added.

"Every team in the Premier League has their strengths but we've got to play to ours and hopefully we can do that. We've got to be confident for that and train well this week."