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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the campaign—a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace might prioritize other competitions was quickly dismissed by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," stated Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 defeat to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we are defeated deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the manager anymore."

There is a clear contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup competitions compared to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner selected his strongest team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner must devise a strategy for payback against the present Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the rigors of European football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with some exhausted squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all term.

The manager fielded an completely changed lineup, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which looked extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Perspective and Selection Considerations

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

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that League Cup tie but was compelled to introduce his "key players" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten streak against Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first since then injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the congested fixture list. "In my view this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is going to be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready."

With important players returning from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the festive period intensifies.