The Arsenal manager believes a winter break in English football is important, but would only support its introduction if it came after the traditional festive fixtures

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has joked that he would “cry” if there was no football at Christmas.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal recently claimed that the packed festive schedule and lack of winter break in the English game was “evil”.

And while Wenger supports the introduction of a mid-season pause, he insists it should only take place after the customary December fixtures.

“I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal but I don’t agree with him on that,” Wenger said.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been in England for such a long time. I had his ideas when I arrived here but today I would cry if you changed that because it’s part of English tradition and English football.

“To suppress the game on Boxing Day, the whole of Europe comes to England to watch the game. It’s a very important part of us being popular in the world, that nobody works at Christmas and everybody watches the Premier League.

“I want to go on with it,” he said. “I always pleaded for a break after January 1, but we have to keep this tradition alive.”