🔗 Share this article

One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a restful period with his family in Austria before Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly dismissed by their manager.

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

There is a marked difference in Glasner's strategy to cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup quarter-finals in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had previously been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his best team for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a showdown with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a slightly debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at the interval. Now, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for revenge versus the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Price of Success and European Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final has ushered in the challenges of continental football for the very first time. These pressures are catching up with some fatigued squad members, many of whom have hardly had a rest all term.

The coach deployed an entirely changed team, featuring four youngsters, in their final Conference League fixture. However, for the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his preferred team, which appeared decidedly lethargic as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he stated.

Arsenal's Perspective and Team Considerations

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must balance his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable practicality. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup fightback greatly harmed their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that cup match but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal have an eight-match unbeaten streak versus Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since that setback. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.

"We're used to it," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "I think this week was the sole complete week we had to prepare. The rest until February at least is will be similar. We have a beautiful opportunity to go into the last four of a competition so we will be ready."

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