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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a restful few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the campaign—a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could prioritize other competitions was quickly rejected by their head coach.

"No, I do not believe that," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "If somebody tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the manager anymore."

There exists a stark contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup competitions relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the League Cup quarter-finals in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the team had already been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a strategy for payback versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

The Cost of Success and European Fatigue

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 first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all season.

The manager selected an entirely different lineup, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to pick the majority of his first-choice team, which looked extremely lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he stated.

The Gunners' Perspective and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The manager must balance his ambition to win a second major trophy with considerable practicality. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that cup match but was compelled to bring on his "key players" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten run against Palace, featuring seven victories. 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 begin for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only complete week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is will be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be ready."

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