Oliver Glasner Hopes to Energize Jaded Crystal Palace as Payback Against Arsenal Looms.

One might excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth game of the campaign—a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace might focus on other competitions was firmly rejected by their boss.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," declared Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we lose deliberately, 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 Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his debut full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his strongest lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, due to a slightly controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must figure out a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League leaders in a match that was rescheduled to this week because of European obligations.

The Cost of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty 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 demands are catching up with some weary squad members, many of whom have barely had a break all season.

The coach deployed an completely changed side, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the majority of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The manager must juggle his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly damaged their title hopes.

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

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten run versus Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, looks set to start for the first since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the busy 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 beautiful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

With important players coming back from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday schedule ramps up.