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You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the season—a League Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace might focus on other competitions was swiftly dismissed by their boss.

"No, I do not believe that," stated Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 loss to Leeds. "If anyone tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the next day I'm not the manager anymore."

There is a clear contrast in Glasner's philosophy to cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially became clear during Palace's journey to the League Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner selected his strongest lineup for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight tie ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at the interval. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

A Price of Success and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has brought the challenges of European football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on some fatigued squad members, many of whom have barely had a break all season.

The manager fielded an completely changed team, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal game, he conceded he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his preferred side, which looked decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly harmed their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run against Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since that injury. 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 full 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 last four of a tournament so we will be ready."

Amid important players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a formidable test for a Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday period intensifies.