Wigan interim boss Glenn Whelan reveals how he is preparing for Arsenal clash in FA Cup | OneFootball

Whelan, who has a 100% win rate against Arsenal in the FA Cup, could have an ace up his sleeve

A home loss to Reading on Tuesday left the side third from bottom in League One, and they now face the challenge of travelling to the Premier League leaders on Sunday.

Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2013 but have since fallen down the divisions, come into their clash with the Gunners as heavy underdogs, but former Republic of Ireland midfielder Whelan will take confidence from his opponents’ recent propensity for dropping points.

Arsenal did so most recently on Thursday night, letting slip a narrow lead to draw 1-1 at Brentford, and Whelan is understandably keep to tap into what went right for the high-flying Bees, who were arguably unlucky not to clinch a shock victory.

Luckily for him, the 42-year-old is well-connected to Brentford’s coaching staff, most notably his former international teammate Keith Andrews.

Brentford have enjoyed an unexpectedly strong season under Keith Andrews

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Despite being widely tipped for a relegation scrap before the start of the season, having lost manager Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and stars Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, the west Londoners finding themselves fighting for European football.

As things stand, Thursday’s point leaves them seventh in the table but just two points back from league title holders Liverpool, four shy of Club World Cup champions Chelsea and five away from fourth-placed Manchester United.

Andrews is, evidently, enjoying plenty of success during his first season at the helm, having stepped up from his role as the club’s set-piece coach following Frank’s departure, and Whelan admitted he has reached out to his former midfield partner ahead of Wigan’s arrival at the Emirates.

“It’s the first thing I’ve done this morning,” Wigan’s interim head coach said on the Off the Ball podcast whether he planned to put a call in to Andrews.,

“Especially with him and [fellow former Irish footballer, now Brentford’s set-piece coach] Stephen Rice on the set plays - we’re all pulling in the same direction.

Addressing Andrews’ debut season so far as a top flight head coach, Whelan continued: [It has been] unbelievable.

“I think he was probably one of the favourites to be sacked [before the season]. Obviously there’s been a lot of change at Brentford, both player-wise and staff-wise, and to come in and pick the pieces up like he’s done, he’s been a breath of fresh air.

“And not just for me, for any young coach now you’re looking at Keith now as moving forward to try and gain experience from, to try and learn whatever you can from him, because what he’s done and how he’s represented himself in front of TV cameras is unbelievable.

“He’s doing us all proud.”

Whelan - who boasts a 100% win rate against Arsenal in the FA Cup, albeit from just one fourth-round match - and co-interim boss Barrow will hope they can harness some cup magic on Sunday, against a home side likely to be heavily rotated, to spark some life into an otherwise poor campaign.

It comes amid reports suggesting a potential Wigan reunion with Gary Caldwell, a former player and manager with the Latics who currently has Exeter City sitting midtable in League One.