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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the campaign—a League Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their manager.

"No, I don't think so," stated Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we are defeated deliberately, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There is a marked difference in Glasner's approach to domestic cup competitions versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his first full season in command. 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. Conversely, Glasner selected his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight match concluded in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a strategy for revenge against the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

The Price of Success and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final has ushered in the challenges of European football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on some weary squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a break all season.

The manager deployed an completely different side, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League match. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to select the majority of his preferred side, which looked decidedly jaded as they unusually conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he stated.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his ambition to win a another major trophy with extreme pragmatism. The previous season, 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 a number of changes for that cup tie but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-game unbeaten 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 long-term knee injury, looks set to begin for the first time since that injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the busy fixture list. "I think this week was the only full week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is going to be like this. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

With key players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive schedule ramps up.