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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their head coach.

"No, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's four-one loss to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we lose deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's approach to cup tournaments versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's journey to the League Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner picked his strongest side for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final match concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Now, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the rigors of European football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on some exhausted squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all season.

The coach deployed an completely changed team, including four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "little choice" but to pick the majority of his preferred side, which appeared extremely lethargic as they unusually conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must juggle his ambition to win a second major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten streak against Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and a brace in a later league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, is expected to start for the first since then setback. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're accustomed to it," said Arteta on the congested fixture list. "In my view this week was the only full week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is going to be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be prepared."

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