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You could excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth game of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace might prioritize other competitions was firmly dismissed by their boss.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If somebody tells me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm not the coach any more."

There exists a clear difference in Glasner's approach to domestic cup tournaments versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially became clear during Palace's run to the League Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in command. 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 picked his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight tie concluded in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at half-time. Now, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for payback versus the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Price of Success and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory 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 hardly had a rest all term.

The manager selected an entirely changed lineup, featuring four youngsters, in their final Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the majority of his preferred side, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The manager must juggle his ambition to win a another major trophy with considerable practicality. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that cup match but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka was introduced from 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 situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten streak versus Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a later league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since then injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be ready."

With important players coming back from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal present a daunting test for a Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the festive period ramps up.