But he hopes tradition can fly out of the window for 90 minutes as his side go in search of a seventh consecutive Premiership win.
"Arsenal have world class players right through their side but we can't be having a sweepstake over whose shirt we are going to get at the end," said Jewell.
"It's not like we've drawn them in the FA Cup, we are now in the same league as them and will treat the game as we have any other this season.
"The mere name Arsenal has tradition, class and quality about it, and that's something we will respect before and after the game.
"During it, though, it will be 11 players versus 11 and we'll be trying to give as good as we get out there.
"We are playing one of the best teams in Europe, we're aware of their strengths, but we will be trying to win the game.
"There's no doubt Chelsea are the side to beat as far as the Premiership is concerned, but on their day, Arsenal are arguably the best side in Europe to watch, although I hope not tomorrow.
"Their counter-attacking is second to none and they have great players and great pace throughout the squad.
"It's a game we're looking forward to, even though we know we are probably going to be up against it.
"But because we have a decent amount of points on the board and something of a cushion, we can approach it without fear.
"If we'd had just four or five points at this stage, there would have been a lack of confidence when it came to these next few fixtures.
"But we're full of confidence at the moment and with them having Thierry Henry back, it has all the ingredients of being a good game.
"We've won eight of our last nine in the league, and you don't win eight at this level by being lucky.
"Our good run has given us a platform to build on and hopefully we can do that in the coming games.
"Some pundits expected us to be marooned at the bottom at this stage, but we're not, we're second in the league.
"Whatever the result tomorrow, I think the worse that can happen is that we go down to third.
"That shows we have done remarkably well, but we want to carry on and do even better."
The fortnight's break between fixtures has been put to good effect by Latics, the majority of players able to combine training with a much needed breather.
International duty took three of the squad – Henri Camara, Ryan Taylor and Josip Skoko – away from Wigan, but all emerged from action unscathed.
Camara will partner Jason Roberts up front tomorrow, Taylor is likely to be on the bench, but Skoko won't be involved as he's only due back tomorrow morning from helping Australia reach the World Cup finals David Connolly returns to the squad after almost a month out with hamstring trouble and is expected to replace Steve McMillan among the substitutes – he strained a hamstring in the reserves on Monday.
Tomorrow's crowd will be a football record at the JJB, the sold-out signs having gone up during the week. Jewell said: "This isn't the first time the home fans have sold out, they did against Chelsea in August and Reading last season.
"But it's the first time both sets of supporters have taken up their full allocation at the same time, and that's another landmark for Wigan Athletic."
England's top-ranked referee, Graham Poll, will be in charge of tomorrow's game.
Meanwhile, Latics have loaned out David Wright to Norwich City for a month after he dropped out of the first-team picture.
His only starts this season have been in the Carling Cup, while he was an unused sub at Charlton.
Jewell said: "Wrighty has itchy feet and wants to play regularly which I totally understand. He has gone down the pecking order behind Pascal Chimbonda and Ryan Taylor, and this loan is good for everyone involved.
"If he comes back, Wrighty will be fitter and stronger for the experience, and I would prefer him playing proper games for Norwich rather than in our reserves."