ANDY Whing says Banbury United’s Emirates FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie is more significant for him than taking on Arsenal.

The former Oxford United midfielder’s best run in the competition as a player was a fifth-round replay against the Gunners while at Leyton Orient in 2011.

But having steered his side through three rounds so far, it is now the Puritans’ best run in the Cup for 40 years.

And if they can beat Bury Town at home on Saturday, it will be the first time Banbury have been in the first round proper since the 1973/74 season.

Whing said: “Now I’m the manager, this is probably the biggest FA Cup game I’ve been involved in.

“It’s not the pressure, but you know what it means to people.

“It’s grabbed the town and the community.

“We’re really looking forward to a socially-distanced full house.

“I think we could have sold two or three times more than we’re allowed.”

Coronavirus rules limit Banbury to gates of 600, with the club confirming yesterday all of them had been bought.

The visitors from Suffolk play in the division below Banbury, but Whing is wary.

He said: “We have got a great chance, but they will say the same.

“They beat Nuneaton in the previous round, who are in our league.

“We know what to expect, so we have to got to be on our game.”