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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could prioritize other competitions was quickly dismissed by their boss.

"No, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "If somebody tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the manager any more."

There is a stark contrast in Glasner's approach to domestic cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially became clear during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the team had previously 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 fielded his first-choice team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final match ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at the interval. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge against the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was rescheduled to this week owing to European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the demands of continental football for the first time. These pressures are taking a toll on some exhausted players, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a rest all term.

The coach selected an completely changed side, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "little choice" but to select the bulk of his preferred team, which appeared extremely lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Perspective and Selection Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must balance his ambition to win a another major trophy with extreme practicality. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup tie but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game winning run against Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a serious knee injury, is expected to start for the first since then injury. Arteta revealed 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. "In my view this week was the only complete week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be ready."

Amid important players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting challenge for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the festive period ramps up.