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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet period with his family in Austria before Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a League Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was quickly rejected by their boss.

"No, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we are defeated deliberately, the next day I'm not the manager anymore."

There is a stark contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup tournaments versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his debut full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner picked his strongest lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight tie ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner must devise a plan for payback against the present Premier League leaders in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

The Price of Success and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own success. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the rigors of continental football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on several exhausted players, many of whom have barely had a break all season.

The manager deployed an entirely different side, including four youngsters, in their final Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which appeared extremely jaded as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he stated.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must balance his desire 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 comeback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup match but was compelled to introduce his "key players" after the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning run against Palace, featuring seven victories. 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 serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're accustomed to it," said Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is going to be similar. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."

With key players returning from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal present a formidable challenge for a Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the festive period ramps up.