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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth fixture of the campaign—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the suggestion that Palace could focus on other tournaments was quickly rejected by their boss.

"No, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "If somebody informs me that we lose deliberately, the next day I'm not the coach any more."

There is a clear difference in Glasner's approach to domestic cup tournaments relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner fielded his first-choice side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final tie ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at the interval. Now, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a strategy for payback against the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Cost of Achievement and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own success. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the rigors of continental football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on some weary players, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a rest all term.

The manager selected an entirely different side, including four youngsters, in their final Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to select the majority of his first-choice side, which looked decidedly jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he said.

Arsenal's Perspective and Selection Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The boss must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable practicality. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning run versus Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup meeting and two in a subsequent league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since that setback. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "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 wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready."

With important players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal present a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule ramps up.