Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has dismissed any notion of prioritising competitions ahead of a demanding Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on Tuesday night, despite his squad showing clear signs of fatigue.
Glasner's Stance on Selection and Revenge Mission
The Eagles head into the clash at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a heavy 4-1 defeat to Leeds United on Saturday, a match in which they uncharacteristically conceded four goals from set-pieces. This will be Palace's 29th game of a congested season, a schedule intensified by their historic FA Cup win last May and subsequent European campaign.
When asked if he might rest players, Glasner was unequivocal. "No, I don't think so," he stated. "If somebody tells me that we lose on purpose, the next day I'm not the manager any more." He admitted he will "have to" select a side consisting mainly of first-team players, acknowledging the tiredness evident at Elland Road.
A Ghost from the Past: Gabriel Jesus Returns
The quarter-final offers Palace a chance for revenge after a painful exit at the same stage last season. In December 2024, Arsenal won 3-2 at the Emirates thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, after Palace had led at half-time. Glasner was furious at the time, believing Jesus was offside in the build-up to a crucial goal, with no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in operation for Carabao Cup fixtures.
In a twist of fate, Jesus is now poised to start against Palace for the first time since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early 2025. The Brazilian striker, who also scored twice in a 5-1 Premier League win over Palace before his injury, is set for his 100th Arsenal appearance. Mikel Arteta revealed Jesus recently wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football means to him.
Contrasting Schedules and Historical Context
While Palace grapple with exhaustion, Arsenal have a relatively cleaner bill of health, though Arteta must balance his desire for silverware with pragmatism. Last season, a hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka in a league game against Palace shortly after their Carabao Cup comeback contributed to derailing Arsenal's title challenge.
Arteta is expected to rotate, with potential starts for Ethan Nwaneri and Noni Madueke, but he emphasised the importance of the occasion. "We have a beautiful opportunity to go into the semi-final of a competition so we will be ready," he said.
Palace's task is formidable. Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight meetings between the sides, a run stretching back to a 3-0 Premier League defeat in April 2022 under Patrick Vieira, and currently sit top of the Premier League. Glasner's commitment to the cup marks a clear departure from his predecessor Roy Hodgson, and Tuesday night will test whether his fatigued squad can summon one more big performance for a place in the semi-finals.
