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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the campaign—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly dismissed by their boss.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the manager anymore."

There is a marked contrast in Glasner's approach to domestic cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his first-choice team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at the interval. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a strategy for payback versus the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the demands of European football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have barely had a rest all term.

The coach deployed an entirely changed lineup, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his first-choice team, which appeared decidedly jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he stated.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The manager must juggle his desire to win a second major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning run against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace 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 signifies to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the busy schedule. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is going to be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."

Amid key players coming back from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal present a formidable test for a Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule ramps up.