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Wigan Athletic have confirmed the dismissal of Ryan Lowe from his position as head coach, days before the League One side are set to face Arsenal in the FA Cup.

The Latics, who lifted the famous trophy back in 2013, are currently enduring a torrid time in the league, with the genuine threat of dropping into the fourth tier looming large. It would represent a dramatic fall from grace for Wigan, who were regulars in the top flight between 2005 and 2013.

Following their relegation in 2013, the club has yo-yoed between the Championship and League One, battling through off-field troubles including administration and ownership changes. Despite aspirations to rebuild in the third tier, Wigan now find themselves in the relegation zone after a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Peterborough United.

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A club statement addressing the head coach's departure said: "Wigan Athletic can confirm that they have parted company with Head Coach Ryan Lowe.

"In the interim, Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow will take on First Team matters, and the Club will work quickly to identify and appoint a new Head Coach of the Football Club. The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Ryan for his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future."

This means Whelan and Barrow are set to oversee Wigan's encounter with Arsenal, potentially bringing a fresh look to the team for the FA Cup tie. Whelan may ring a bell for some supporters, as he was a Premier League stalwart during his playing days, locking horns with the Gunners 17 times on the field.

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Sixteen of those meetings with Arsenal came in the Premier League, where he secured four victories, three draws, and nine losses. Yet in the FA Cup, Whelan boasts a perfect 100 per cent record against the Gunners, claiming one victory in his sole appearance against the north London outfit.

He'll be hoping to carry that form into his caretaker management stint, which will resume at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. For Arsenal, it could present a chance to shuffle the pack, whilst maintaining their determination to lift silverware this campaign.

Mikel Arteta is juggling aspirations to triumph in the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup with a squad capable of competing across all competitions. There's a gap at the summit of the table, which will fuel belief in getting across the line to claim the title, whilst the side have secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final next month.

The FA Cup is very much Arsenal's territory, though, having won the competition more times than any other club, with 14 wins to their name. The latest of those was back in 2020, which is Arteta's first trophy in management, one he will be looking to add to in the final few months of the season.

"Well, it's the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because we're playing every three days," Arteta said on the importance of reaching a final, after booking a place at Wembley in the Carabao Cup.

"But the fact that you work so hard to achieve those moments and to have these moments together. It's just magical, because you can see the joy, the smile, the energy in the dressing room and everybody who works at the club. So, yeah, looking forward to it."

The FA Cup is the next competition Arsenal will be aiming to progress in, but a significantly altered Wigan side could pose problems if Arteta isn't fully prepared.