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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth game of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could focus on other competitions was quickly dismissed by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 defeat to Leeds. "If somebody tells 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 approach to cup competitions compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's journey to the League Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from each of 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, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight tie ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a slightly debated 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 against the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

The Cost of Success and Continental Fatigue

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

The manager deployed an completely changed side, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the bulk of his preferred side, which looked decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The manager must juggle his desire to win a another major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a move 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-match unbeaten streak 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 later league win before suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first since then injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think this week was the sole complete week we had to prepare. The rest 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."

With key players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting challenge for a Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday schedule ramps up.