🔗 Share this article

One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th fixture of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash with Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was quickly rejected by their boss.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," declared Glasner following his team's side's four-one hammering to Leeds. "If somebody tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the coach any more."

There is a stark contrast in Glasner's strategy to cup competitions compared to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the League Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in command. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his strongest lineup for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a somewhat debated hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having led at the interval. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a plan for revenge versus the current Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week because of European commitments.

A Cost of Achievement and European Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own success. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the challenges of continental football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have hardly had a break all season.

The coach deployed an entirely different lineup, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to select the majority of his preferred side, which appeared extremely lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he affirmed.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

On Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The manager must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable practicality. The previous season, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace only days after their Carabao Cup fightback significantly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented a number of changes for that League Cup match but was forced to introduce his "key players" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will repeat again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning streak versus Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and a brace in a subsequent league win before sustaining a serious knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since then injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested fixture list. "In my view this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is going to be like this. We have a wonderful opportunity 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 daunting challenge for a Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the holiday period ramps up.