Glasner Aims to Motivate Weary Crystal Palace as Payback Versus The Gunners Beckons.

You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful few days with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's twenty-ninth game of the season—a Carabao Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. Yet, the suggestion that Palace might focus on other tournaments was firmly rejected by their manager.

"No, I don't think so," declared Glasner after his team's side's four-one loss to Leeds. "Should somebody informs me that we lose on purpose, the following day I'm not the manager any more."

There exists a stark contrast in Glasner's approach to domestic cup competitions relative to his forerunner, Roy Hodgson. This first became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the club had previously been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his strongest team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, setting up a showdown with Arsenal.

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

A Price of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

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

The manager selected an entirely different team, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, for the Arsenal clash, he conceded he will have "no option" but to pick the bulk of his first-choice side, which looked extremely jaded as they uncharacteristically let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, have to," he said.

The Gunners' Viewpoint and Selection Considerations

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are different. The boss must juggle 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 hopes.

Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup match but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist 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-match unbeaten streak versus Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and two in a later league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, is expected to start for the first since then injury. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We're used to it," said Arteta on the busy schedule. "I think this week was the sole complete week we had to prepare. The period until February at least is going to be like this. We have a beautiful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

Amid key players coming back from injury and a determination to progress, Arsenal present a formidable challenge for a Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the holiday period intensifies.