Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he "would cry" if changes are made to fixtures during the Christmas period.
Arsenal won nine out of their twelve games in December and January of last year, including an impressive 2-0 away win at Manchester City.
They will face the Citizens again during the Christmas period this year as well as Liverpool and Chelsea in January.
"I had [van Gaal's] ideas [the lack of a winter break is wrong] when I arrived here," Wenger revealed.
"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, yes. I always pleaded for a break after January 1, but we have to keep this tradition alive."
