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You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria before Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was quickly dismissed by their head coach.

"No, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one loss to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm not the manager any more."

There is a marked difference in Glasner's philosophy to cup tournaments compared to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner fielded his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final tie concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner now faces the task to devise a strategy for revenge against the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was rescheduled to this week owing to European obligations.

A Price of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the demands of continental football for the first time. These pressures are taking a toll on some fatigued squad members, many of whom have barely had a rest all term.

The manager deployed an entirely different lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to choose the majority of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable practicality. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had made several changes for that League Cup tie but was forced to bring on his "key players" 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 potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation 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 encounter and two in a later league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "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 last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

With key players coming back from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal present a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the festive schedule intensifies.