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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the season—a League Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace could focus on other tournaments was firmly dismissed by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," remarked Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we lose deliberately, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There is a marked contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup tournaments versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his first full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his best team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight tie ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European obligations.

The Cost of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the rigors of continental football for the first time. These demands are catching up with some weary squad members, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach deployed an entirely changed side, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which looked extremely lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Perspective and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup match but was compelled to introduce his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game winning streak versus Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a later league win before suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first time since that setback. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think this week was the only complete week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is going to be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be ready."

With key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal present a formidable test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule ramps up.