Football Focus

Football Focus is must-not miss today (when is not?) as Martin Keown sits down with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

In a wide-ranging interview, Wenger discussed his FA Cup memories and other key aspects of his Arsenal reign.

Just under 20 minutes until Football Focus is live on BBC One, and on this page.

Dan Walker
Football Focus

"Not quite the cup we are looking for. We're live from Aston Villa from 12:10 GMT on BBC One for Football Focus."

Not many footballers have been lucky enough to have their name written in large bold lettering ahead of a montage of their goals, but Bradford City striker Jon Stead is one of them to receive such treatment.

He has scored a goal in every round so far of this year's FA Cup, will he continue that impressive run of form today?

Watch his goals in our video.

BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener at Valley Parade: "It's #scarfparade at Bradford today and the Reading fans have paid their own tribute at the memorial to the tragic Valley Parade fire disaster that claimed 56 lives almost 30 years ago."

Ally, Holyport: While watching Liverpool v Chelsea in a bar in Strasbourg circa 2002, Franck Leboeuf tapped my mate on the shoulder to ask what the score was (in English) as he couldn't see the screen. He bought us a pitcher at half time to say Merci.

Steve, Surrey: As a games maker at the London Olympics, Martin Keown tried to bypass a long queue. I told him not too push and wait.

Scott, Portsmouth: Lassana Diarra stopped at my work to ask directions to Westleigh Park, (Havant and Waterlooville FC) Pompey reserves were playing Arsenal reserves.

Has a footballer ever made a small request or asked for a favour from you or a friend? Let us know via #bbcfootball,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) or pop your anecdote down on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+ pages.

Image source, Getty Images

Last, but certainly not least, the FA Cup quarter-final weekend is rounded off in style with Manchester United versus Arsenal on Monday.

United forward Wayne Rooney has won plenty in his career, but an FA Cup winners medal is missing from his collection.

"I think it is a massive trophy," says Rooney. "It is a trophy that, growing up as a youngster, I used to love watching and I was fortunate enough to see Everton lift the FA Cup in 1995 when I was nine years old. It is something which I would love to do."

Could this be his year?

Manchester United v Arsenal is on Monday and live on BBC One from 19:30 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Bradford City are not the only giant killers left in the FA Cup, with Championship side Blackburn Rovers having seen off a couple of higher division opponents on the way to the quarter-final.

They have beaten Stoke and Swansea in previous rounds, but face a daunting task against the side that sits top of the Premier League form table - Liverpool.

"It's David versus Goliath. Nobody's giving us a chance outside of our dressing room," says Blackburn boss Gary Bower. "I think they're the most impressive team in the Premier League at the moment and the football that they're playing is fantastic.

"We've studied the videos, we've come up with a game plan, and we've worked with the players on it. We'll go and take the challenge to Liverpool."

The two sides meet on Sunday at 16:00 GMT.

Danny Pugh: Whilst out celebrating Wigan Athletic's last day survival in 2007 against Sheffield United - Ryan Taylor, who had been carried off injured, asked me to look after his crutches! The rest is a blur but he cant have been that injured as the next morning I woke up with said crutches at the side of my bed!

Image source, Reading FC

Reading:, external On Reading coach one today is 93-year-old Cis Platten who follows us home & away - BBC there to tell her story.

Image source, The FA

The FA Cup will be arriving in style at both of today's games because, for the first time in the competition's history, it will be delivered by a fan in a helicopter.

Here's Bradford City fan Graeme Kettlewell on his way to today's first game. Aston Villa fan Matt Drinkwater, also pictured, will then take it to Villa Park.

Success in the FA Cup takes many forms. The prize money might add up to several million but for wealthy Premier League clubs that is relatively small change. For them, it is the prestige of winning a trophy that matters most.

However, for many lower league and non-league teams the FA Cup represents one of their best chances to land a high-profile televised tie, with all the revenue that brings. If they are lucky enough to hit the jackpot and be drawn away at a Premier League team, their split of the gate money can earn them more in one night than an entire normal season - enough to completely transform the club's financial fortunes.

So just how much is the FA Cup worth to your club? Take a look out our interactive guide to find out.

Image source, Kate Charles

Kate Charles:, external Might not have a scarf but I have nails.

Bonus points for no half-and-half nail-painting shenanigans Kate. [See 10:28 entry for this commentator's dislike of half-and-half scarves]

For those not enjoying Paul Jewell's sweet, sweet music then Bradford City have laid on some sweet treats for the arriving media.

Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson on Twitter:, external "Bradford City (FA) Cup cakes. Nice."

Image source, Getty Images

So yeah, Paul Jewell - the former Bradford City boss - is currently playing Oasis songs on a guitar in a largely empty Valley Parade stadium.

Nothing more to be said really...

Image source, Getty Images

How do you wind up a fierce rival ahead of a big derby match? Calling them a "good little club" would certainly do the trick.

Speaking prior to the Premier League tie between the two sides, Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood used those words, external to describe West Brom before expressing his delight at having secured the manager's job at a "massive club" like Villa.

"That is Tim - there are no problems with me or the chairman at all," says Baggies boss Tony Pulis. "Tim is Tim and he will be good fun for everyone around the West Midlands for the time he is at Aston Villa I'm sure."

Still, if the West Brom players need any motivation for revenge for Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Villa, there it is...

Mark Lawrenson
FA Cup predictions

"Bradford have been the big story of this season's FA Cup after beating Chelsea and Sunderland - but in many ways, I think this is almost a tougher game than if they had got another Premier League side.

"Because of what the Bantams have done to get this far, people are looking at this tie and thinking it won't be a shock if a team from the top end of League One beats a side from the bottom half of the Championship.

"Steve Clarke has done okay at Reading since taking charge in December - they are going to stay up despite some mixed results.

"I think they are going to be more difficult to beat than a Premier League team might be, because they will be more up for a scrap if that is what this tie turns into."

Lawro's prediction: 1-1 (Reading to win the replay)#

Read about how Lawro sees this weekend's FA Cup ties going in his FA Cup predictions.

Matt O'Neill: Berbatov was house hunting in the Bowden area, where I was fixing some lights on a communal path. He and his Man United appointed driver asked me to move my tools, I didn't and he had to walk in the mud. City 'til I die.

Danny Disna Kane: Gordon Strachan didn't ask he just (accidentally) stole my pen after signing an autograph when I was a kid!

William Rabagliati: Many years ago I served David Seaman petrol, he paid with the most battered credit card I've ever seen.

Has a footballer ever made a small request or asked for a favour from you or a friend? Let us know via #bbcfootball,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) or pop your anecdote down on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+ pages.

Bradford City are trying to drum up excitement for today's FA Cup game by encouraging a 'scarf parade' - getting as many supporters as possible to turn up with claret and amber scarves and hold them up at the start of each half.

Let's hope that means more of these types of scarves...

Image source, Bradford City

...and less of these...

Image source, Bradford City

Image source, Getty Images

After Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to League Cup success last weekend, will Steve Clarke get on the blower to his former colleague and ask for some tips?

Clarke worked with Mourinho during the Portuguese coach's first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

"I won't speak to him, no. Chelsea got beat [by Bradford]," says Clarke.

That's that then.