Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger says he would 'cry' if Christmas fixtures scrapped, calling them 'tradition'

Arsene Wenger looks ahead to Everton on Saturday and reveals he would "cry" if Christmas fixtures were changed, calling them an "English tradition"

Feeling optimistic: Arsene Wenger in good spirits after win against Bayern Photo: PA

Wenger's press conference is over. Here are the main talking points...

Wenger on Xmas fixtures: "I would cry if you changed that. It is part of English tradition and English football."

On Ramsey injury: "Because they (Wales) played on an artificial pitch. He is coming back from a long-term injury. Basically, nobody wants to play on an artificial pitch."

On team spirit: "We always have a feel-good factor inside our club. Always togetherness, but not always the results we want."

On rotating his strikers: "You have to accept no club in the world can play one striker for the whole season."


09:37
Wenger back on Ramsey injury...


"Because they (Wales) played on an artificial pitch. He is coming back from a long-term injury. Basically, nobody wants to play on an artificial pitch."

09:36
Wenger on Patrick Vieira...


"He has the qualities to be a manager. He is old enough to start. It depends what he wants to do."


09:34
Wenger on 4-4-2...


"You are bit harsh with me when you say he (Walcott) plays on his own. Sanchez plays up front. It is true it is not the traditional 4-4-2. But Sanchez plays close to the traditional 4-4-2."


09:31
Wenger on Ross Barkley...


"He has massive potential. He has absolute power and is certainly one of the most promising."


09:30
Wenger on Ramsey mistake...


Wenger regrets playing Ramsey at Watford after midfielder was "overloaded" on international duty with Wales.





09:28
Wenger on Xmas fixtures...


"I would cry if you changed that. It is part of English tradition and English football."


09:26
Wenger on using Walcott...


"You have to accept no club in the world can play one striker for the whole season."

09:24
Wenger on Walcott and Giroud...


"The most important thing is they contribute goals."

09:23
Wenger on Everton...


"You want to do well in the big games at home. We want to produce the same performance again."

09:22
Wenger on spirits in camp...


"We always have a feel-good factor inside our club. Always togetherness, but not always the results we want."

09:21
Wenger on Ozil...


"A player of his calibre you want him to add goals to his assists. He is world class."


09:20
And we're off!


Wenger confirms Ramsey out three to four weeks. Gabriel back in training.


09:15
Mind elsewhere


Wenger must still be basking in the glow of Arsenal's victory over Bayern on Tuesday... cos he's totally forgotten he's got a presser today.

09:10
Where is he?


At what point does being kept waiting become rude? Ten minutes overdue now. Come on Arsene!

09:03
Waiting...


... Wenger's keeping us on our toes, no sign of him yet.

08:55
All set...


Will Wenger be on time? He likes to be fashionably late normally...


08:30
Morning!


Hello, how are we all? Arsene Wenger will be doing his usual 9am press conference today ahead of Saturday's clash with Everton and fresh from Tuesday night's outstanding 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich.

It's given the Gunners a real boost and the only bum note that night came in the form of Aaron Ramsey's hamstring.

The Welshman could be out for up to a month.

In his post-match interviews, Wenger suggested playing for Wales against Andorra could have contributed to the injury and has predicted Ramsey will miss the friendly international with Holland on Nov 13.

"He's had a scan but he's out," he said. "I believe he will be out until after the next international break.

"With the (last) international break, the fact that he played against Andorra certainly cost (Gareth) Bale and him as well."

You can be sure Wenger will be asked about Ramsey's injury status and most recent Jose Mourinho's "weak and naive" comments. But what else? Find out at 9am right here...