Oliver Glasner Aims to Rally Fatigued Palace as Revenge Versus Arsenal Awaits.

You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy 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 Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. Yet, the suggestion that Palace could focus on other competitions was swiftly dismissed by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared 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 any more."

There is a clear difference in Glasner's approach to domestic cup tournaments relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup last eight in his first complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his strongest lineup for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final tie ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for payback against the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week because of European obligations.

A Cost of Success and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the demands of European football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several exhausted players, many of whom have barely had a rest all season.

The manager selected an entirely different lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their last Conference League match. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to choose the majority of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Considerations

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

Arteta had made several changes for that cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play 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-match winning streak versus Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup encounter and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first since then injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "In my view this week was the only complete week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be prepared."

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