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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his family in Austria before Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. Yet, the suggestion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was quickly dismissed by their manager.

"No, I do not believe that," remarked Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the coach any more."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's approach to cup competitions relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his strongest side for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final tie concluded in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner must devise a strategy for revenge against the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the challenges of European football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with several exhausted squad members, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach fielded an completely different side, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk 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 Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The manager must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that cup tie but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match winning streak against Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a later league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to begin for the first since then injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is will be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be prepared."

Amid key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the festive schedule ramps up.