Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is preparing his squad for a demanding Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Arsenal on Tuesday, a match that marks the club’s 29th fixture of a congested season. Despite a heavy 4-1 league defeat to Leeds last weekend, Glasner firmly dismissed any notion of not taking the cup seriously, stating his commitment to fielding a competitive team.
The upcoming tie offers Palace a chance for redemption, having lost to Arsenal at the same stage of this competition a year ago. That 3-2 defeat featured a decisive hat-trick from Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, a performance that remains a point of contention for the Eagles.
This season presents a new challenge for Glasner’s side. The demands of a historic campaign, which included winning the FA Cup and securing European football, are now evident. Several key players are showing signs of fatigue, having played consistently with little respite. Glasner acknowledged that, out of necessity, he will likely rely on his core starters against the Premier League leaders, even though some appeared worn down in their recent loss.
For Arsenal, the fixture presents a different set of considerations. Manager Mikel Arteta is balancing the pursuit of a rare domestic trophy with the need to manage his squad’s fitness across multiple competitions. He is expected to rotate his lineup, with players like Ethan Nwaneri and Noni Madueke potentially featuring. A significant subplot is the anticipated return of Gabriel Jesus, who is poised to make his first start since recovering from a serious knee injury sustained last season.
The match, rescheduled due to Arsenal’s European commitments, continues a recent trend of dominance for the Gunners in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Palace across all competitions. As both teams navigate a relentless schedule, Tuesday’s encounter represents a critical hurdle on the path to Wembley, testing Palace’s resilience and Arsenal’s squad depth.