🔗 Share this article

You could excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace could focus on other competitions was quickly dismissed by their manager.

"No, I do not believe that," declared Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 defeat to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm not the coach anymore."

There is a clear contrast in Glasner's approach to cup competitions relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his debut full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner fielded his strongest lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That previous last-eight match concluded in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at the interval. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Cost of Success and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their maiden major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the rigors of European football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on some weary players, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all season.

The manager deployed an entirely different lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his preferred team, which looked decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he affirmed.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Team Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The boss must juggle his ambition to win a another major trophy with extreme practicality. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten run against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first since that setback. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the busy schedule. "In my view this week was the sole full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is going to be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be ready."

With important players coming back from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal present a formidable challenge for a Crystal Palace side desperately in need of a spark as the holiday period ramps up.