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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace could prioritize other competitions was firmly dismissed by their boss.

"No, I don't think so," stated Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic 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 full season in command. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his best team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final tie ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Now, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week because of European obligations.

A Cost of Success and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the challenges of continental football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with several weary players, many of whom have barely enjoyed a break all season.

The coach selected an entirely changed team, featuring four teenagers, in their last Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "little choice" but to choose the majority of his first-choice team, which appeared decidedly jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he stated.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The manager must balance his ambition to win a second major trophy with extreme practicality. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had made several changes for that cup match but was forced to bring on his "key players" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game winning run against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup encounter and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first 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," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think this week was the only complete week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is will be like this. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be prepared."

With key players returning from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive period ramps up.