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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a restful few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the season—a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace might prioritize other competitions was quickly rejected by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "If somebody informs me that we lose on purpose, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There exists a stark difference in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup tournaments relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner selected his best side for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a plan for payback against the current Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

The Cost 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 a win in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the rigors of European football for the very first time. These pressures are catching up with several weary squad members, many of whom have barely had a rest all season.

The manager deployed an entirely different team, including four youngsters, in their final Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to select the bulk of his first-choice team, which looked decidedly jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The boss must juggle his desire to win a another major trophy with extreme pragmatism. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that League Cup tie but was compelled to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten streak against Palace, including seven wins. 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 serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since then setback. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used 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 will be similar. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready."

With important players coming back from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal present a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday schedule intensifies.