Palace Look to Settle Scores in Carabao Cup Clash with Arsenal

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is determined to rally his weary squad as they prepare for a demanding Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Arsenal, insisting that there will be no compromise in the club’s ambitions despite a packed schedule.

Tuesday night’s tie will mark Palace’s 29th match of the season, a testing workload as the campaign edges toward the festive period.

Glasner acknowledged the physical and mental strain on his players but dismissed any suggestion that Palace should ease off in cup competitions. Speaking after Saturday’s heavy 4–1 defeat to Leeds, the Austrian made his stance clear, stressing that deliberately lowering expectations or prioritising one competition over another is simply not part of his mentality. For him, competitiveness and integrity are non-negotiable, regardless of fatigue or fixture congestion.

The Palace manager’s approach represents a clear shift from the more cautious cup philosophy seen under his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. That change became evident during Glasner’s first full season, when Palace made a determined run to the latter stages of the Carabao Cup, signalling a renewed belief in challenging stronger opponents rather than merely managing resources.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will present a formidable test, with Gabriel Jesus expected to feature as the Gunners chase silverware. For Palace, the tie offers not only a chance to reach the semi-finals, but also an opportunity to respond positively after a difficult league outing and regain momentum.

As the season intensifies, Glasner is focused on reigniting energy and belief within his squad. With four competitions still in play, he views the Arsenal clash not as a burden, but as a chance for Palace to prove their resilience, ambition, and growing identity under his leadership.