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You could excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to spend a quiet few days with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could focus on other competitions was swiftly rejected by their manager.

"No, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we lose deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the coach any more."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's approach to domestic cup tournaments compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner picked his strongest team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final match ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner must devise a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Price of Success and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own success. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the rigors of European football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have barely enjoyed a break all term.

The coach deployed an entirely different lineup, featuring four youngsters, in their final Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to choose the majority of his first-choice side, which looked extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must balance his ambition to win a second major trophy with considerable practicality. The previous season, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that cup match but was compelled to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match winning streak versus Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a later league win before suffering a serious knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since then setback. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," commented Arteta on the busy schedule. "In my view this week was the sole complete week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is will be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be ready."

With key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the festive period intensifies.