Michael Ballack insists the difficult times in recent seasons have helped to forge an unbreakable team spirit within Chelsea.

The Blues are now five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League thanks to their 1-0 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have a 100% home record this season and have not conceded a goal at the Bridge since the opening day of the campaign.

The Blues are hoping to win their first title since 2006, having gone through five managerial changes since the last time they lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho.

They have also suffered the heartbreak of a Champions League final defeat against United in Moscow in 2008 and last season they lost out on a re-match with their English rivals when they were beaten in controversial circumstances against Barcelona in the semi-final.

But Ballack believes the difficult situations and disappointing times have helped the side stick together.

The German said: "The team has grown together and every year we have more experience and confidence.

"Most of the players have stayed here, we've been through a lot of nice games but also a lot of difficult situations and some little disappointments have stuck us together.

"If you come back from disappointing situations together then you do better the next season. We have to focus at this early stage and keep that going until around April and the deciding games in the season.

"You work the whole year for these big games, league deciders and cup finals. It is very important that you don't waste points by drawing here and there at this stage of the season and finding yourself five points behind and chasing.

"So it is a good time at the moment for us and we want to keep it going."

Chelsea are hoping that England left-back Ashley Cole will have recovered sufficiently from his depressed fracture of the tibia in time to face his former club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 29.

Cole has been diagnosed with the injury after aggravating the problem prior to their victory over Manchester United.

The player required an injection in order to play but then pulled out of the England squad to face Brazil in Qatar.

Cole first suffered the injury in the 4-0 home win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

It put him out of the two games with Bolton and the home win over Blackburn. He returned without any ill-effects against Madrid in their 2-2 draw in Group D and now he faces another lay-off.

However the Blues are hoping the international break will provide Cole with the respite he requires to let the injury heal in time for him to play in their table-topping clash with the Gunners.