Michael Ballack believes Chelsea have once again demonstrated they possess the perfect mix needed to be champions.
Carlo Ancelotti's men returned to the top of the Premier League table after a first-half double from Didier Drogba saw off the challenge of Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners had plenty of possession, but could not turn that into goals.
Afterwards, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger congratulated Chelsea on their efficiency, while also taking a sly dig by claiming "we didn't get a demonstration of football".
However, Germany captain Ballack maintains such determination to get the final result is what counts in the end.
"We wanted to do our job," the 33-year-old said.
"We knew the way Arsenal play. 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.
"We derived the win because we were very effective and that was our strategy."
Ballack declared: "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."
Chelsea's advantage at the top is only two points ahead of United, who thrashed bottom club Portsmouth 5-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Arsenal are now some nine points adrift, having lost successive matches against the top two following an impressive 10-match unbeaten run which briefly returned them to the summit.
Ballack said: "If you look now, it seems like a race between Manchester United and us - but four weeks ago, you could see how it was [different] and it can go quick when teams lose points."
Drogba once again proved too hot for Arsenal to handle, as the Ivory Coast striker made it 12 goals in his last 12 games against Wenger's young Gunners.
Ballack hailed the impact of the 31-year-old, who is just back from international duty at the African Nations Cup and came within inches of netting a hat-trick yesterday when his 20-yard free-kick crashed back off the crossbar.
"In big games like this, he is there and that is why he is a big player," said Ballack.
"Didier has unbelievable physical strength, but he has great technique, is a great free-kick taker and has the nose of a striker.
"He has a lot of qualities and not a lot of players are like this."
Ballack added: "But we have a lot of big characters and this is why we have a good team.
"It is really great to play in a team like this. Everybody fights for everybody - there is a good spirit and experience in the team.
"We have played for a few years together and have a lot of personal qualities in the players.
"Even if you don't play a fantastic game yourself, we have players who can decide games by one action."
Chelsea captain John Terry - sacked as England skipper as the fall-out from allegations about his private life continues - lead by example against Arsenal, his header from a corner setting up Drogba for the opening goal.
The centre-back, however, picked up a dead leg and will be assessed ahead of the trip to Everton on Wednesday night, while it has also been speculated Terry will be given a leave of absence from next weekend's FA Cup tie against Cardiff to deal with off-field issues.
Ballack maintains the team are united behind their captain.
"We can't do more than win games and that is what we have done," the midfielder said.
"We are one team and we don't want to speak about the other thing, but the best answer we can give was on the pitch."
He added: "We play for Chelsea and that is our job, which is why we have to win games and that is what we did.
"The team looked confident and settled.
"It is important to win, even in difficult situations - that is always the best answer."
Your Comments
kit_kitson
"rapidcat: you must be seriously deluded if you think any player of 30 odd knows more than any manager. Not to mention a manager who is thought by his peers as one of the best in the game. The reason that Ballack has won all this silverware is because of good management.
Regarding starting Arsharvin alone up front, he was left with very little options since his only other forward, Bendtner is coming back from injury and wasnt fit enough to start the game. At least Ballack knows more about football than you. "
ohno
"we all not what the problem is - only problem is the one man that can do somthing about it wont!!so thats it really
sad hey "
peejay54
"Why cannot Arsenal fans just accept that their team are just not good enough to compete with the big boys and given some of the comments posted on here it is not just the team that needs to grow up."
Bryo
"As they say, it has never been the chunk of possession that one has that mattered, rather what you do with it!!!!!!!!!!
That is all."
edinburghexile
"From a player who so disrespects a referee in a champions league semi final! Arsene may not be the messiah but there is a difference between playing nice football and believing as I do about football and being the toy of some lottery winning big dog who has made his money doing gosh knows what. As an arsenal fan I can hold my head up high and say I was there at Stamford bridge when an arsenal team went and gave it their all. The result could have gone either way, a world class striker being the difference. I was there when the red flare went off, I was there when we were drumming on the roof raising the stadium to an atmosphere never seen at the Bridge, and I was there when even though we lost I was proud we gave it a go against Roman's toys. Forever arsenal...."
morgankazan
"The fact remains arsenal ain't good enough to win
tactical teams. They can only beat teams who allow them to
play the way they want. "
rapidcat
"goonerboy, as a decorated world class player, captain of his contry and with good intelligence, Ballack knows far more about football than Wenger ever will.
Wenger is well past what ever powers he possessed anyway, keeps making the same mistakes time and again. Imagine starting up front with Arshavin alone, what an idiot."
bradmaung06
"As and Arsenal fan I couldn't agree more about M.Ballack's comment.It is a harsh reality for us and it's very hard to take it but we have to take it though.Nice passing needs skills and strong personalities on the pitch which we are lack of at this stage.How talented you can be a kid is a kid and their huge salaries doesn't make them into a grown men.We need those stronger characters that we used to have before this young generation of Arsenal players.Nothing's wrong with the current players but like grapes it needs time to get the real flavour.Young grapes are sour,unpredictable,inconsistant and will never become a great quality wine if i may give the example.If I'm Arsene I'll be doing honest and fair assessment into the mental maturity of our players and there's a lot to be improved and we desperately need quality strikers not just one.Call me an oldie,i'll stick with Henry,Bergkamp,Pires,Vieira,Ljungberg,Cole,Campbell,Lauren,Tony Adams and David Seaman over this current squad if they are still 28 to 31 ys old.We had wonderful passing games matched with those unbelievable strong personalities, A WINNIN FORMULA...Sometimes football is more than the Balance Sheet of the club's finance or making profit out of players.Surplus is good but winning the EPL and Champion Leage would be better.The weakness of us is on the show for any EPL clubs and surely they'll be more and more comfortable to play against us in future if Arsene doesn't do something about the current situation.One thing,guys might split up with their wives or parters but never to the football club we support and we are suffering to see our weakest teams of Arsenal week in and week out.It's too painful to watch but like i said above---" Arsenal till I Die "."
PappyNelson
"teams must not play like arsenal. ballack is right. arsenal lack some britishness instead of buying mostly french claiming that english players are expensive whereas other teams are buying them."
NJW1
"For that matter what would Diaby know about nice passing? Chelsea at their best this season have played some of the most attractive football in the league but they understand that when it's not quite clicking, you still have to win. Wenger is so bitter it's pathetically predictable. Arsenal are 2 or 3 players short of the best team in the league, players who when the team's not playing well they're still capable of scoring and preventing goals. Wenger is too bloody stubborn and needs to get over himself if Arsenal are going to start winning anything... "
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