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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a League Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their boss.

"No, I do not believe that," remarked Glasner following his team's side's four-one loss to Leeds. "Should anyone tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There is a stark difference in Glasner's philosophy to cup competitions relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in command. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner fielded his strongest side for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight tie ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, due to a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

The Cost of Success and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the rigors of European football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on some weary squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all term.

The manager fielded an completely different side, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the majority of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must juggle his desire to win a second major trophy with extreme practicality. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup match but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-game unbeaten run versus Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since that setback. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the busy schedule. "I think this week was the only full week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is will be like this. We have a wonderful chance to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be prepared."

With key players coming back from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal pose a formidable challenge for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the festive period intensifies.