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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth game of the campaign—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the suggestion that Palace could prioritize other competitions was quickly rejected by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should anyone informs me that we lose on purpose, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There exists a stark contrast in Glasner's approach to cup tournaments relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner fielded his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Now, Glasner now faces the task to devise a strategy for payback versus the present Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the demands of continental football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several fatigued players, many of whom have barely enjoyed a break all term.

The coach selected an completely different lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their last Conference League match. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the majority of his first-choice team, which looked decidedly lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Perspective and Selection Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The boss must juggle his ambition to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that League Cup tie but was forced to introduce his "key players" following the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run versus Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since then setback. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "In my view this week was the only complete week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is will be like this. We have a wonderful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be ready."

With important players coming back from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal present a daunting challenge for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the holiday period intensifies.