Wigan Prepares for FA Cup Clash Against Arsenal Under Interim Management

omidbasir- Wigan Athletic is set to challenge Premier League leaders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, albeit under the guidance of interim manager Whelan. This transition follows the dismissal of Ryan Lowe after a disappointing 6-1 defeat to Peterborough United. Currently, Wigan finds itself in a precarious position, sitting in the relegation zone of League One with only seven victories from their 30 matches this season.

In preparation for the upcoming match, Whelan has reached out to Brentford’s manager, Keith Andrews, with whom he shared a playing career with the Republic of Ireland. Brentford currently occupies seventh place in the Premier League, trailing Manchester United by just five points, and Whelan expressed that his first step was to consult his former teammate.

Notably, Brentford recently held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw, which may have significant implications for Arsenal’s title aspirations.

Speaking on the Off The Ball podcast, Whelan remarked, “It’s the first thing I’ve done this morning. Especially with him and fellow Irish footballer Stephen Rice, who is now Brentford’s set-piece coach, we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Whelan praised Andrews’ efforts at Brentford, stating, “His work has been unbelievable. He was perhaps one of the favorites to be dismissed before the season. With the considerable changes at Brentford, both in terms of personnel and staff, his ability to stabilize the situation has been refreshing.

“For young coaches, Keith serves as an inspiring figure to learn from, given how he has conducted himself in front of the media. He’s making us all proud.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about his team’s readiness for the forthcoming cup match following their recent draw with Brentford. He noted, “We are accustomed to playing in different competitions every three days. We will analyze the Brentford game, extract the positives, learn from our mistakes, and prepare to face Wigan with renewed energy.

“This competition offers our team another opportunity to shine, and given our historical connection to the FA Cup, we are eager to excel. Playing at home again adds to my excitement as we aim to recover and push forward.”

Arsenal is keen to reclaim the FA Cup, having last lifted the trophy in 2020, a goal Arteta acknowledges is critical. He commented, “Our past performances have not met expectations, and in a competition like this, excellence is paramount. The club’s badge is irrelevant; we must demonstrate our capabilities against Wigan on Sunday.”

The match between Arsenal and Wigan is scheduled for Saturday, after which Arsenal will return to Premier League action against Wolves, while Wigan will face Luton. Both teams are former FA Cup champions, though their trajectories have significantly diverged since their respective successes at Wembley.