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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for wishing to spend a restful period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the campaign—a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could prioritize other competitions was swiftly rejected by their manager.

"No, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the manager any more."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup tournaments relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his debut full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner fielded his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final tie concluded in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

A Price of Success and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the rigors of European football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on several exhausted squad members, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a rest all term.

The coach fielded an completely changed lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to choose the majority of his preferred team, which looked extremely lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup tie but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning streak against Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before suffering a serious knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the busy fixture list. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful 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 present a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule intensifies.