MICHAEL BALLACK has said the championship is now a contest between Chelsea and Manchester United, and has told Arsene Wenger to stop making excuses for Arsenal’s inability to win crucial games against title rivals.

The Chelsea midfielder branded Arsenal too predictable and said it may be impossible for them to win anything – their last trophy was the FA Cup, five years ago – unless Wenger makes the team more tactically flexible.

Ballack was clear when asked whether the Premier League has become a two-horse race. “It looks like it,” he said. “It’s a race between Manchester United and us. But as I said a few weeks ago, it can go quickly that somebody drops points. But at the moment it looks like it’s down to the two of us.”

Responding to Wenger’s comments that the better team had lost, Ballack was dismissive. “I think 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 them.

“We deserved the win because we played very effectively. It was how we wanted to play before the game. 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 this.

“For me good football is a mix of winning, successful football, mental strength, good football technically and also physically. I think we have a good mix and we have done this all season. We can’t do more. First in the table.”

Ballack, who also echoed Didier Drogba’s support for John Terry after his loss of the England captaincy, was asked whether Arsenal would win anything playing with their style. “This season and (last) season they didn’t show they were able to win the league,” he said.

The 33-year-old explained why he feels Chelsea are able to challenge for major honours.

“We have a lot of big-game players and big characters at Chelsea. That is why we are a good team and it’s really great to be part of this club. Everybody fights for everybody, there is good spirit and good experience in the group, we’ve had a few years together and there is a lot of personal quality among the players. Even if we don’t play a fantastic game we have a few players who can decide a game with one action.”

• Guardian Service