🔗 Share this article

One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth match of the season—a League Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. Yet, the idea that Palace might focus on other competitions was quickly dismissed by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I don't think so," remarked Glasner after his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "Should anyone tells me that we are defeated deliberately, the next day I'm not the coach anymore."

There exists a clear contrast in Glasner's philosophy to cup tournaments versus his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This initially was evident during Palace's run to the League Cup last eight in his debut complete campaign in charge. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by the time Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his strongest lineup for victories over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a encounter with Arsenal.

That prior quarter-final match ended in a 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium, following a somewhat controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at the interval. Now, Glasner must figure out a strategy for revenge against the present Premier League leaders in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European obligations.

A Cost of Achievement and Continental Exhaustion

Glasner has, in a way, been a casualty of his own achievements. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the challenges of continental football for the first time. These pressures are catching up with several exhausted squad members, many of whom have barely had a break all season.

The manager fielded an entirely different lineup, including four teenagers, in their last Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to choose the majority of his first-choice side, which appeared extremely lethargic as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces against Leeds. "Must. Yes, have to," he stated.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Team Dilemmas

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the circumstances are different. The manager must balance his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable pragmatism. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace only days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly damaged their title aspirations.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup match but was forced to introduce his "key players" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match winning 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 later league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are accustomed to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "In my view this week was the only full 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 competition so we will be prepared."

With important players coming back from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal pose a daunting challenge for a Palace side desperately in need of rejuvenation as the holiday period ramps up.