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You could excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace could focus on other tournaments was quickly dismissed by their manager.

"No, I do not believe that," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the next day I'm no longer the manager any more."

There is a clear difference in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup competitions relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign 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 fielded his first-choice team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight tie ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at half-time. Now, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has brought the rigors of continental football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with several fatigued squad members, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a break all term.

The coach selected an completely changed lineup, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "little choice" but to select the majority of his preferred team, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he stated.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must juggle his ambition to win a another major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace only days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that cup match but was forced to bring on his "key players" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match unbeaten run against Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and a brace in a later league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first since then setback. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the busy fixture list. "In my view this week was the sole full week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is will be like this. We have a beautiful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready."

With key players coming back from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting challenge for a Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the festive schedule ramps up.