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One might excuse Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his family in Austria before Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the season—a League Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could focus on other tournaments was swiftly rejected by their head coach.

"No, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "Should anyone informs me that we lose deliberately, the following day I'm not the coach anymore."

There exists a clear contrast in Glasner's philosophy to domestic cup competitions compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the Carabao 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 took over at Selhurst Park. Conversely, Glasner picked his best team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final match concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a somewhat controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having been ahead at the interval. Now, Glasner must devise a plan for payback against the present Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

The Cost of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a sense, 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 demands of European football for the very first time. These demands are taking a toll on several fatigued players, many of whom have barely had a rest all season.

The manager selected an completely different side, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "little choice" but to choose the bulk of his first-choice side, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he said.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must juggle his ambition to win a second major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup tie but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match unbeaten streak against Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who scored 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, is expected 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 accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only complete week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is will be similar. We have a wonderful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."

Amid key players coming back from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the festive period intensifies.