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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a restful period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the campaign—a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their boss.

"No, I don't think so," declared Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If somebody informs me that we are defeated on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the manager anymore."

There is a stark difference in Glasner's strategy to cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his first complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his best lineup for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final match ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for payback versus the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European obligations.

The Price of Success and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own success. Guiding Palace to their maiden major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the rigors of European football for the first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have hardly had a break all term.

The manager selected an completely different team, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal game, he conceded he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his first-choice side, which appeared extremely lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he said.

Arsenal's Perspective and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his ambition to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. The previous season, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had made several changes for that cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" following 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 have an eight-game unbeaten streak versus Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," commented Arteta on the busy fixture list. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is going to be similar. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final 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 Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive period ramps up.