Glasner Seeks to Energize Weary Palace as Payback Versus Arsenal Awaits.

You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a quiet few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was quickly rejected by their manager.

"No, I don't think so," remarked Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If somebody tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the next day I'm no longer the coach any more."

There is a clear difference in Glasner's approach to cup tournaments versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup quarter-finals in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner picked his first-choice lineup for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final tie ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Now, Glasner must figure out a strategy for revenge against the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

The Price of Achievement and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final has ushered in the challenges of European football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with several weary players, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach selected an entirely different side, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League match. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the majority of his first-choice team, which appeared extremely jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he stated.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "key players" following the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match winning streak against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a subsequent league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We are accustomed to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is going to be like this. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be prepared."

Amid key players coming back from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a formidable test for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday schedule ramps up.