Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger responded to criticism from Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack on Tuesday. (Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

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

Ballack said 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.

He pointed out that his team was one of the highest scorers in the Premier League this season with 60 goals in 25 games. Only Man United with 61 has more.

"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 who wins can say what they want. They are right," he said.

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

Arsenal went top of the Premier League three weeks ago but has since collected only one point from its three games against Aston Villa (0-0), Man United (3-1 defeat) and Chelsea.

With Chelsea playing at Everton and Man United at Aston Villa on Wednesday, Arsenal could fall 12 points behind with 12 games remaining with a loss at home to Liverpool. That result would also leave Liverpool two points behind Wenger's third-place team.

Terry fit to play

Chelsea captain John Terry will play against Everton on Wednesday after recovering from the minor leg injury he suffered in Sunday's win over Arsenal.

Chelsea defender John Terry was replaced as captain of the England national team Friday after a string of allegations about his private life. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea said on its website Tuesday that Terry had recovered from the "dead leg" (charley horse) he picked up in the match.

"He had a little problem on his leg but he recovered very well and so will play tomorrow," manager Carlo Ancelotti said.

Terry, who was replaced as captain of the England national team Friday after a string of allegations about his private life, received a standing ovation from the home crowd after the match against Arsenal.

Terry thanked all the fans when he told Chelsea TV, "It's a really emotional day for myself and the way the fans have been with me for the last two weeks, honestly it's incredible, I didn't expect that today. I go away full of delight today and I'd like to thank every single fan for the way they treated me."

Terry has faced much scrutiny over the past couple of weeks amid allegations he had an affair with former teammate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

League leader Chelsea, currently two points clear of Manchester United, travels to Everton on Wednesday.