Have the FA Cup quarter-finals shown the importance of the competition? Mark Chapman is joined by Rory Smith, Chris Sutton and Monday Night Club debutant Joe Hart to discuss the weekend’s FA Cup action. They look at why the FA Cup is so important for so many teams, and discuss the benefits of a range of teams lifting the trophy. Former Crystal Palace player and coach Shaun Derry drops by to discuss his former club’s remarkable run to the semi final as they reach their second FA Cup semi final in four years. Arsenal’s new sporting director is also a topic of conversation – how does the dynamic of the manager having a say in their appointment work? Hear from Mikel Arteta on his appointment. Joe also gives a masterclass in goalkeeping and the work goalkeepers put into preparing for a penalty shootout, and he remembers saving a penalty from Lionel Messi! Plus, after Brian Graham was appointed interim manager of Partick Thistle men (alongside Mark Wilson) until the end of the season, he joins the podcast to explain how he balances that with being the captain, leading goalscorer and women’s team manager!

TIME CODES:

02:20 – The excitement of cup football 12:35 – Former Crystal Palace player and coach Shaun Derry 26:10 – Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta 36:45 – Joe’s goalkeeping masterclass 45:20 – Football’s busiest man, Brian Graham

BBC Sounds / 5 Live midweek Premier League commentaries:

Tue 1 Apr 1945 Arsenal v Fulham on 5 Live, Tue 1 Apr 2000 Nottingham Forest v Man Utd on 5 Sports Extra, Tue 1 Apr 1945 Wolves v West Ham on BBC Sport website, Wed 2 Apr 2000 Liverpool v Everton on 5 Live, Wed 2 Apr 1945 Newcastle v Brentford on 5 Sports Extra, Wed 2 Apr 1945 Bournemouth v Ipswich on BBC Sport website.