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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could prioritize other competitions was firmly rejected by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared Glasner following his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the manager any more."

There exists a clear contrast in Glasner's approach to cup tournaments compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner selected his strongest team for victories 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, thanks to a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for revenge against the current Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

A Price of Success 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 catching up with some exhausted squad members, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach deployed an completely different team, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League match. However, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he stated.

Arsenal's Perspective and Team Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly harmed their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run versus Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup encounter and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, looks set to begin for the first since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the busy fixture list. "In my view this week was the sole full week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is will be similar. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be prepared."

Amid key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a formidable challenge for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive period intensifies.