Jack Rodwell wants take the opportunity to become an Everton midfield regular.

Mikel Arteta left for Arsenal this week and Rodwell sees the Spaniard's departure as opening the door for him to become a key part of Everton's midfield after putting last season's injury-hit campaign behind him.

"Mikel is a great player. He's a good lad as well and he will be sorely missed," said Rodwell.

"It's a good opportunity for him, so we all wish him the best. But we've got a lot of young players who can fill in. I'm ready to step up and fill his boots, definitely."

Since emerging from Everton's academy as a 16-year-old Rodwell has never been a constant in Everton's starting XI - with niggling injuries the main factor.

But now he's out of his teens, with a clean bill of health and a burning desire to succeed for the Blues.

"I'm ready now," he declared. "I feel fit, I feel sharp and focused. I believe this is the season for me.

"What I've been missing in my career is 30 games back to back and getting a good run of form and confidence, so hopefully this season I can do that.

"Last season was frustrating for me. I had a lot of injuries and couldn't really get a pattern of football going. I wasn't really fit, but hopefully that won't happen this season."