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You could excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the suggestion that Palace might focus on other tournaments was firmly dismissed by their head coach.

"No, I do not believe that," remarked Glasner following his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we lose on purpose, the next day I'm not the coach anymore."

There is a stark contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup tournaments versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his first complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from both 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, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a strategy for revenge versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was rescheduled to this week owing to European obligations.

The Price of Achievement and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the challenges of continental football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on several fatigued players, many of whom have hardly had a rest all term.

The manager selected an completely changed side, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he conceded he will have "no option" but to choose the bulk of his preferred team, which looked extremely lethargic as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he stated.

The Gunners' Perspective and Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must juggle his desire to win a another major trophy with extreme practicality. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup tie but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten streak versus Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup meeting and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a serious knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since then setback. Arteta disclosed the striker 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. "I think this week was the sole complete week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is going to be similar. We have a beautiful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready."

Amid key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal present a daunting test for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule intensifies.