🔗 Share this article

One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his family in Austria before Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the campaign—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might focus on other tournaments was swiftly dismissed by their head coach.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 defeat to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we lose deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the manager any more."

There is a marked difference in Glasner's strategy to cup competitions compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when 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 quarter-final tie ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League leaders in a match that was rescheduled to this week because of European commitments.

The Price of Success and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own success. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the rigors of European football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several weary squad members, many of whom have hardly enjoyed a rest all term.

The manager deployed an entirely changed side, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League match. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his first-choice side, which appeared extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he stated.

Arsenal's Viewpoint and Selection Dilemmas

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

Arteta had made several changes for that League Cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "key players" after the break. Saka came off the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-game unbeaten run against Palace, including seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to begin for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the busy fixture list. "In my view this week was the sole complete week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."

With important players returning 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 festive schedule intensifies.