Arsene Wenger: 'I would cry if you changed the Christmas fixture list. It is part of English tradition and English football.'

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants the festive fixture list protected
• The Gunners play four games in just 12 days over Christmas
• Festive fixture congestion is often blamed for causing injuries and fatigue
• Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has branded it 'evil' 
• But Wenger admitted he would get emotional if the tradition were ended 

By Chris Cutmore for MailOnline

Published: 03:58 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 10:29 EST, 23 October 2015

Most Barclays Premier League managers would bite your arm off for the chance of a break during the hectic Christmas period, but Arsene Wenger admitted he would 'cry' if the festive fixture list was ever changed.

Wenger's comments come after Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal branded the lack of a winter break in England 'evil'.

Unlike in many European leagues, English football throws up games thick and fast over Christmas and new year. Arsenal are due to play four games in 12 days, against Manchester City, Southampton, Bournemouth and Newcastle, from December 21 to January 2.

Arsene Wenger speaking at his Friday press conference, where he defended England's Christmas fixtures

The fixture pile-up in December and January is often blamed for causing injuries and fatigue

But Wenger insisted at his Friday press conference that any winter break must not compromise the traditional Christmas fixtures, despite the pile-up and its negative consequences.

'I would cry if you changed that,' he said. 'It is part of English tradition and English football.' 

Festive fixtures are traditionally held on the weekend before Christmas, Boxing Day, the weekend between Christmas and new year, and then New Year's Day. 

Van Gaal said that the daunting run of fixtures leaves players exhausted at the end of the season and is partly to blame for England's failure on the international stage

'There is no winter break and I think that is the most evil thing of this culture. It is not good for English football,' said the Dutchman.

'It is not good for the clubs or the national team. England haven't won anything for how many years? Because all the players are exhausted at the end of the season.' 

Louis van Gaal (right, pictured with Anthony Martial in training) has hit out at the Christmas fixture list

Van Gaal, here addressing his Manchester United squad this week, called the fixture list 'evil'

Every one of Europe's main leagues includes a winter break, except the Premier League.

Spain's La Liga, hailed by many as the superior league in world football, shuts down between December 13 and 30.

The Bundesliga, the domestic league of world champions Germany, closes shop for a full five weeks between December 19 and January 23.

There are also winter breaks in Italy, France and Holland. 

But Van Gaal said the intensity of the top flight made a break even more necessary for the Premier League, which could lose its fourth Champions League qualifying spot to Serie A in 2017-18 due to a lack of recent success.

'The Premier League is the most difficult league to win because of the high level of the teams. You cannot beat any team easily,' said Van Gaal.

'It is a rat race and then you have to play also in the Champions League. It is not so easy and that is why English teams over the last few years have not won the Champions League because of the difference in the leagues.' 

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