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Wenger hits back at Ballack

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit back at Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack on Tuesday for criticising his team’s performance in Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Ballack said that the Arsenal manager always seemed to find excuses whenever his team lost and accused the Gunners of just playing “nice passes” and a predictable style rather than going directly for goal.

“He always says this when he loses,” the German star said. “He always finds an excuse. But football is not possession or nice passes. Good football is winning games and that’s what we do when we play them.”

Wenger, whose team has not won a major title since the 2005 FA Cup, responded at his news conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against Liverpool.

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

“There is only one way to play football — that is to win games and be efficient. 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,” he said.

“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.”

Wenger said he praised Chelsea for its victory in a game where his team had far more possession but rarely troubled the home side’s goalkeeper.

“As for (Ballack’s comments), I am long enough in England to know that the team which wins can say what it wants. It is right,” he said. — AP

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