Oliver Glasner Hopes to Energize Jaded Crystal Palace as Revenge Versus The Gunners Awaits.

You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his family 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 suggestion that Palace could prioritize other competitions was quickly rejected by their head coach.

"No, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we are defeated on purpose, the next day I'm not the manager any more."

There exists a clear contrast in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup competitions versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the team had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his best lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight match concluded in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a somewhat controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a plan for payback against the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European obligations.

A Price of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently brought the demands of continental football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on some weary squad members, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a break all term.

The coach selected an entirely changed lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal game, he conceded he will have "no option" but to choose the bulk of his preferred team, which appeared extremely lethargic as they unusually conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he stated.

Arsenal's Perspective and Selection Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must juggle his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

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

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten run against Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup encounter and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, looks set to start for the first since that setback. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think 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 wonderful opportunity to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be prepared."

With key players returning from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal present a daunting test for a Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the holiday period intensifies.