Glasner Seeks to Energize Jaded Crystal Palace as Payback Against The Gunners Beckons.

You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a quiet few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace could focus on other tournaments was swiftly dismissed by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," remarked Glasner following his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we lose on purpose, the next day I'm not the coach anymore."

There is a marked contrast in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup tournaments versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his first full season in command. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner fielded his strongest side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match ended in a 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for payback against the present Premier League leaders in a match that was rescheduled to this week owing to European commitments.

A Price of Success and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, been a victim of his own success. Guiding Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the rigors of European football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on some fatigued squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all term.

The manager deployed an completely different team, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League match. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the majority of his preferred team, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he said.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The boss must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had made a number of changes for that League Cup match but was forced to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is going to be similar. We have a wonderful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

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