Oliver Glasner Seeks to Energize Fatigued Crystal Palace as Payback Against Arsenal Beckons.

One might excuse Oliver Glasner for wishing to enjoy a quiet few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, instead of preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the notion that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was quickly rejected by their manager.

"No, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "If anyone informs me that we are defeated on purpose, the next day I'm no longer the coach anymore."

There exists a marked contrast in Glasner's philosophy to cup competitions versus his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the club had already been knocked out from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his strongest lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a meeting with Arsenal.

That prior last-eight match concluded in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a somewhat controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at half-time. Now, Glasner must devise a plan for payback against the present Premier League pace-setters in a match that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

A Price of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own success. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final has brought the rigors of continental football for the first time. These demands are taking a toll on several exhausted squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a rest all season.

The manager fielded an completely changed team, including four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal game, he conceded he will have "little choice" but to pick the bulk of his preferred side, which looked decidedly jaded as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he stated.

The Gunners' Perspective and Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are distinct. The boss must juggle his desire to win a another major trophy with considerable practicality. The previous season, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game versus Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that cup tie but was forced to bring on his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka was introduced from the bench to set up Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten streak against Palace, featuring seven victories. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in the previous campaign's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before suffering a serious knee injury, looks set to begin for the first time since then injury. Arteta revealed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're accustomed to it," said Arteta on the congested fixture list. "In my view this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The period until February at least is going to be similar. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a tournament so we will be ready."

With important players coming back from injury and a desire to advance, Arsenal pose a daunting test for a Crystal Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the holiday schedule ramps up.