Glasner Hopes to Energize Jaded Palace as Revenge Against The Gunners Beckons.

You could excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a restful few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might focus on other competitions was quickly dismissed by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "If somebody informs me that we are defeated deliberately, the following day I'm not the coach any more."

There is a marked contrast in Glasner's approach to domestic cup competitions compared to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner fielded his strongest team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final tie ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, following 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 payback versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was rescheduled to this week because of European obligations.

The Price of Achievement and Continental 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 brought the demands of continental football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several weary squad members, many of whom have hardly had a break all term.

The coach selected an completely different lineup, including four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which looked decidedly jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he said.

The Gunners' Perspective and Selection Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The manager must balance his desire to win a second 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 several changes for that cup match but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a scenario that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run versus Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, looks set to begin for the first time since that setback. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "In my view this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is going to be like this. We have a wonderful chance to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."

Amid important players returning from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the holiday schedule ramps up.