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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the campaign—a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could focus on other competitions was quickly dismissed by their head coach.

"No, I do not believe that," stated Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 defeat to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we lose deliberately, the next day I'm no longer the coach any more."

There exists a stark contrast in Glasner's strategy to cup tournaments versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner selected his strongest team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final match ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for payback against the current Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

The Price of Success and Continental Fatigue

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

The manager selected an entirely different lineup, including four youngsters, in their final Conference League match. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to choose the bulk of his preferred side, which looked decidedly jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The boss must juggle his ambition to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. The previous season, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match unbeaten streak versus Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and a brace in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

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

Amid key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive schedule intensifies.