Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: FA Cup fourth round – live

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A blueprint for Messrs Barrow and Whelan?

As Joe Meadway writes as he gets in touch: “Thankfully we sacked Ryan Lowe last week after a 6-1 defeat at Peterborough. So it’s now Graham Barrow and Glenn Whelan and their team, and much more confidence of staying up this season than before. The less said about Lowe the better.”

Graham Barrow is on his sixth turn as Wigan caretaker; he’s 71. Glenn Whelan, the former Ireland international and Pulis lieutenant, is on his second spell as caretaker. If that doesn’t tell you Wigan have been having a tough time, then I don’t know what does.

The big news is that William Saliba starts, as Eberechi Eze, the star man of last season’s FA Cup, get his chance to shine. That Gunners front three has a fluid look about it. Still no Kai Havertz.

Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow are in charge of Wigan after Ryan Lowe was sacked last week. Via their website, here’s their team news: “Owen Moxon replaces former Arsenal man Matt Smith in the engine room, while Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Joe Taylor come in for Harrison Bettoni and Christian Saydee in attack.”

The teams

Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, White, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus. Subs: Setford, Hincapie, Gabriel, Zubimendi, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Salmon, Gyokeres

Wigan: Tickle, Fox, Aimson, Kerr (Capt), Hunt, Murray, Weir, Moxon, Raphael, Wright, Taylor. Subs: Savin, Sessegnon, M.Smith, Hungbo, McManaman, Bettoni, Costelloe, Saydee, Asamoah Jr.

Preamble

Both these teams have been winners in the 21st century, with Wigan winners in 2013. Arsenal are an opponent who carry portents as it was at the Emirates, three days later, that a 4-1 defeat condemned them to relegation from the Premier League, where they have never returned. This season, the Latics, who have been through financial and ownership issues in recent years, are fighting a relegation battle, one that should they lose, will drop them down to League Two. They have not been a fourth-tier club since 1982, when they had only been in the Football League for four years. So, the FA Cup is a holiday for Ryan Lowe and his team. Arsenal have one trophy in focus, the Premier League but surely they can’t slip up here? It would register as one of the greatest FA Cup shocks in history. Which is why we’re here.

Kick-off at 4.30pm, UK time. Join me.