Michael Ball tackles the big issues at Hill Dickinson Stadium following Everton's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea

After losing for the first time this season it doesn’t get any easier for Everton this Saturday as they head to Arsenal to face the Premier League champions.

Look, it’s a place where we’ve really struggled for many years, but the record is there to be broken. I watched Arsenal on Sunday and they’re a great side, but they struggle against a team who can show a bit of power, dynamism and pace.

They probably got away with it at Nottingham Forest with a deflected shot, the first one on target. Nottingham Forest had a few opportunities to put the ball on the net, and it was just fantastic defending but that was all down to pace of being direct and being forceful.

We’ve got that in our squad, but I haven’t seen enough of it.

With set-pieces, they’re strong at it but we’ve got to be together as a team. We’ve got to be hard to beat but also not sit there, just turn up and just let them dictate and then sit back and expect things to happen.

It’s 11 human beings against 11 human beings. You’ve got an opportunity to play against the champions, you’re playing against the champions, you want to win your battle, whoever you’re against, do your job well, that’s the idea before any football match.

That’s what is brilliant about being a professional footballer. You have this opportunity to play against the best in the world and prove how good you are.

Don’t go down without a fight. Have a bit of pride in your performance.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall lost his battle with Jordan Henderson in the Chelsea game. Even though Jordan has had a fantastic career, personally I’d be embarrassed by that, how he came to our home patch and bullied him.

But now he has the opportunity to turn that around against even better opposition. It’s about asking for the ball in dangerous areas and trying to use your quality at right times.

Dewsbury-Hall couldn’t get anywhere near Jordan Henderson in the second half, he was free. That’s your man, so why was Henderson free every time, what are you doing?

Are you standing in the wrong position? Are you aware if your defensive duties as well as being on the ball?

He didn’t do a through-ball or a pass to Barry, he didn’t get the ball out wide. So if you’re struggling to get on the ball, you’ve got to do your defensive duties.,

Jordan Henderson is the elder statesman. He’s come to Chelsea your old club.

You should put a foot down. Put a marker down and prove a point.