FOOTBALL

BALLACK: WE'D RATHER WIN THAN WHINGE

Michael Ballack, left with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, has told Arsene Wenger to stop making excuses

Tuesday February 9,2010

By Tony Banks

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MICHAEL Ballack has turned on bad loser Arsene Wenger and told him to stop making excuses and start producing teams who can win trophies.

German midfielder Ballack produced one of his best displays for Chelsea on Sunday, he and his team-mates ignoring the furore surrounding their skipper John Terry to beat Arsenal 2-0 and end any hope the Gunners have of competing for the title this season.

Another two goals from Arsenal’s arch-nemesis Didier Drogba condemned Wenger’s team to their second defeat by Chelsea this season, leaving them nine points behind the league leaders. It was a crucial test for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but one they passed with flying colours.

Afterwards Wenger was at his graceless worst, complaining that Chelsea did not play much football, that his own side had more of the game, that the Blues fouled constantly and cleverly and asserting that “these are the tricks of a very experienced team”.

But Ballack was quick to dismiss Wenger’s views, accusing him of sour grapes. “He always says this when he loses. When he loses, he always finds an excuse. But football is not possession on the ball or playing nice passes. Good football is winning games. And that’s what we do when we play against Arsenal,” said Ballack.

“We deserved the win because we played very effectively. It was how we wanted to play. It was our strategy. Maybe in the second half we concentrated a bit too much on defending, but if you’re 2-0 up you can do that. For me, good football is a mix of winning, successful football, mental strength and good technical and physical play."

“Chelsea have a good mix in the team and we have done this all season. We cannot do more. We are first in the table. We knew the way Arsenal would play. We saw it in the first game against them and in the way they played against Manchester United last week.

"It is always the same style. If you get your tactics right, like we did, you can beat them. This season and the season before, Arsenal have not been able to show they were capable of winning the league.”

Wenger insisted after his team’s loss at Stamford Bridge that Arsenal had 70 per cent of the possession. In fact, the ratio was 58 per cent in favour of his side. But for all their possession, the Gunners created few chances, unable to get past the inspired Terry. And when they did, they found goalkeeper Petr Cech having his best game of the season.

“When we looked at the table we knew we had to win – and we did,” said Ballack. “We showed we deserve to stay in first place. After the draw at Hull we were pleased to hit back like that. It looks like a two-horse race now, between United and us. But it can change quickly.”

Drogba, who also struck twice in Chelsea’s 3-0 success at the Emirates in November, now has 12 goals from 10 starts against Wenger’s team. After terrorising Philippe Senderos, he has now proved that neither William Gallas nor Thomas Vermaelen can handle him.

Ballack believes Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who has 22 goals this campaign, is the ultimate big-game player. Didier is so important for us,” said Ballack. “In the big games like that he is always there. That’s why he is such a big player. I have not played with many better strikers."

“He is a very individual type. The way that Didier plays is different to Wayne Rooney or Andrey Arshavin. He has unbelievable physical strength combined with great technical finishing. He has qualities a lot of players don’t have. It is much better to be playing with him than against him."

“We have a lot of big-game players and big characters at Chelsea. That is why we are a good team. It’s great to be part of this club. Everybody fights for everybody. There is good spirit and good experience."

“We’ve had a few years together and there is a lot of personal quality. If we don’t play fantastic, we still have players who can decide a game with one move.”

Ballack said the players had not been distracted by the Terry saga, adding: “We can’t do more than win games and that’s what we did. We are a team. The best answer we can give is on the pitch.”

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ARSENE WENGER

09.02.10, 9:46am

Please Arsene just give it a rest....it is time you concentrated on your own team and their clear PROBLEMS.

YOU will not lead them to the championship yet again...you are beginning to sound like a manager under real pressure.

Maybe if the backbone of your team was British (like Man U and Chelsea ,Liverpool) your team would understand what it means to play in their team colours and what it means to the fans who come watch week in and week out a pay these exorbitant ticket prices.

There is no spirit in the Arsenal team or understanding anymore of their history in the league.....move on Mr Venger

• Posted by: Darm • Report Comment