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You could excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a restful few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the manager anymore."

There exists a stark difference in Glasner's philosophy to cup competitions relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner fielded his first-choice side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a encounter with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight match ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a strategy for revenge against the present Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

The Cost of Success and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has brought the demands of continental football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on several fatigued players, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach selected an completely changed lineup, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his first-choice side, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Dilemmas

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The manager must juggle his ambition to win a second major trophy with extreme pragmatism. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" following 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 have an eight-game unbeaten run versus 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 suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first since that injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only complete week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is will be similar. We have a wonderful chance to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be ready."

With important players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a formidable test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the holiday period ramps up.