Wenger ducks but Ballack bouncer hits sore spot

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

LONDON, Feb 9, 2010 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has brushed aside a broadside from Michael Ballack over his grudging praise for Chelsea in the wake of their win over Arsenal at the weekend.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack has accused the Arsenal boss of making excuses for his side being outplayed when he reacted to the 2-0 defeat by caustically observing: "We didn't get a demonstration of football but they were highly efficient."

Wenger claimed Tuesday that comment had been taken out of context but refused to back away from his suggestion that Arsenal had been the better side at Stamford Bridge.

"I would just like to say that I was full of compliments and praise for Chelsea after the game and I find it completely unfair from the press that you take one word of my press conference to turn it in a kind of probe every time," the Frenchman said.

Wenger argued that similar misrepresentation had resulted in his recent spat with Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who was infuriated by the Arsenal manager's characterisation of his side's style as "long ball" following last month's goalless draw between the two clubs.

Addressing Ballack's argument that Arsenal had lost the tactical battle at Stamford Bridge, Wenger commented: "I am long enough in England to know that the team who wins can say what they want. They are right.

"It is my job to take a distance from that and analyse the game in a calm way with a cool head and to analyse what is right.

"I have to live with all the conclusions that Chelsea are a much better side, but I believe what I believe."

Despite Wenger's defiance, Ballack's comments will undoubtedly have touched a raw nerve with many Gunners supporters, who are growing increasingly frustrated that the wonderful football on offer at the Emirates has not yielded a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

"We knew the way Arsenal play," Germany's captain said. "It is always the same style. If you play tactics like we did, you can beat them.

"This season and the season before they showed they weren't able to win the league.

"He (Wenger) always says things like this when he loses to find an excuse -- but football is not possession of the ball and playing a nice pass, football is about winning games and that is what Manchester United showed when they played them and what we did.

"Football is a mixture of winning games and good football physically, but also technically. We have a good mix in the team as we have shown this season and you can't do more. We are in first position and that counts."

Back-to-back defeats by Manchester United and Chelsea have left Arsenal nine points off the pace in the title race ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Liverpool, who are unbeaten in their last seven league matches, at the Emirates.

The recent setbacks have focused attention on Arsenal's lack of physical presence throughout the side, particularly in attack, where the absence of the injured Robin van Persie has been felt acutely at times.

Wenger's critics believe he could have addressed that problem in the transfer market but the Frenchman continues to believe he can deliver success his way.

"There is only one way to play football - that is to win games and be efficient," he said. "The best way to win the games is the way which is most adapted to the qualities of your players and the philosophy of your club. That is what we try to be faithful to.

"You have to accept that when you lose games, the way you play is always questioned - what becomes a fantastic quality when you win, becomes a fantastic mistake when you lose. It is like that.

"We still have to believe in the way we do things, in the way we play and to show that strength."

Fit-again Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner is in line to start against Liverpool after coming off the bench against Chelsea.

am10/cw