Crystal Palace suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal, missing the chance to advance to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but manager Oliver Glasner displayed great optimism after the match.

Crystal Palace struggled in the first half, with Glasner admitting that the team's start was not ideal and that they only managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to several brilliant saves by goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

However, the team showed a completely different look in the second half. They not only held their own against their opponents, but also managed to keep the suspense alive until the very end when they were in a desperate situation due to an own goal.

In a post-match interview, Glasner said, "Losing on penalties is always disappointing, but I am genuinely pleased with the team's rebound in the second half. Even when facing the heavy blow of being behind, the players still showed extraordinary fighting spirit and character, and this spirit of never giving up in adversity is extremely valuable."

Benitez's impressive performance drew praise from Glasner, who believed his consistent play in the cup competition demonstrated the squad's depth and competitiveness. Glasner pointed out that in a high-level penalty shootout, the outcome often hinges on a small stroke of luck, and no one should be blamed for the elimination.

After a grueling schedule of three matches in six days, Glasner decided to give the team two and a half days off before Christmas, and specifically instructed the players to completely shut down their football mode. He believes that it is crucial for players to return to their families and spend time with their loved ones as ordinary people to mentally adjust before facing the upcoming intense schedule.

Glasner firmly believes that this mental shift, coupled with the level of play displayed in this match, will instill strong confidence in Crystal Palace for the remainder of their Premier League campaign.