You could forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to enjoy a restful period with his loved ones in Austria before Christmas, instead of gearing up for Crystal Palace's 29th game of the season—a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Arsenal. Yet, the notion that Palace might prioritize other tournaments was swiftly dismissed by their manager.
"No, I do not believe that," declared Glasner following his team's side's four-one defeat to Leeds. "Should somebody tells me that we lose deliberately, the following day I'm no longer the manager any more."
There is a stark difference in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup competitions compared to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This first was evident during Palace's journey to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in his first full season in charge. Under Hodgson, the team had already been knocked out from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner took over at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner selected his first-choice team for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.
That previous quarter-final match ended in a three-two defeat at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, even though Palace having been ahead at half-time. Almost exactly twelve months later, Glasner now faces the task to devise a plan for payback versus the present Premier League leaders in a match that was rescheduled to this week owing to European obligations.
Glasner has, in a way, been a victim of his own success. Leading Palace to their maiden major trophy with a win in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the demands of continental football for the very first time. These pressures are taking a toll on several weary players, many of whom have barely had a rest all season.
The coach selected an entirely changed side, featuring four youngsters, in their last Conference League fixture. However, ahead of the Arsenal game, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his first-choice side, which looked extremely lethargic as they unusually conceded four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Must. Yes, must," he said.
For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must juggle his desire to win a second major trophy with considerable practicality. Last year, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka suffered in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback greatly damaged their title hopes.
Arteta had implemented several changes for that League Cup tie but was compelled to bring on his "big-hitters" following the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a crucial goal in a move that left Glasner "furious" over a possible offside, with no VAR available—a situation that will be the case again on Tuesday.
Arsenal have an eight-game winning run against Palace, including seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup encounter and a brace in a subsequent league win before suffering a long-term knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since then setback. Arteta disclosed the striker wrote a "touching" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.
"We are accustomed to it," commented Arteta on the congested schedule. "In my view this week was the sole 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 semi-final of a tournament so we will be prepared."
Amid key players returning from injury and a determination to advance, Arsenal present a formidable test for a Palace side urgently in need of a spark as the holiday schedule intensifies.
Elara is a seasoned gaming journalist with a passion for slot mechanics and player strategies.
