Mikel Arteta is optimistic that Gabriel Jesus’ Carabao Cup hat-trick will reignite the striker’s Premier League scoring touch as Arsenal advance to the semi-finals.
Gabriel Jesus delivered a stunning second-half performance, netting three goals against Crystal Palace to turn the game around after the Gunners trailed early. The Brazilian’s goals at the Emirates Stadium were his first in a year on home turf and only his second game on the scoresheet this season, the first being against Preston in October’s EFL Cup clash.
Despite his heroics, Jesus has yet to find the net in the Premier League since January 30. Arteta hopes this hat-trick will inspire him to regain consistency and play a vital role in Arsenal’s title push.
“It’s about consistency now,” Arteta said post-match. “This performance can be a spark for him and the team, but we need to give him the opportunities to change games.”
Jesus, reflecting on his performance, emphasized the responsibility he bears as Arsenal’s number nine:
“I have to score goals, and so does Kai [Havertz],” Jesus told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We’re the strikers and there’s pressure to deliver. If we want to challenge for silverware, we must keep scoring.”
The 26-year-old also underlined his ambition to win the Premier League, stating:
“This is my third season, and I came here to win. We’ve come close, but now I want to take that final step.”
In-Form Jesus Could Propel Arsenal’s Trophy Ambitions
Jesus’ resurgence comes at a crucial moment as Arsenal aim to compete for major silverware this season.
This EFL Cup tie marks the beginning of a unique week for Arsenal and Crystal Palace, with the two sides set to face off again in the Premier League on Saturday. Arteta made eight changes to his lineup, which initially struggled to gel, but Jesus’ hat-trick has made him hard to overlook for the upcoming league clash.
When asked about starting Jesus in the league, Arteta said, “Let’s enjoy this result first, then we’ll decide. It’s great to have players knocking on the door.”
Since joining Arsenal, Jesus has experienced highs and lows. After an impactful debut season, injuries and inconsistent performances saw him lose his starting role to Kai Havertz. Speculation even arose about a potential January exit, which Arteta dismissed as “nonsensical.”
Despite this, Jesus’ tally for Arsenal in 2024 remains a modest five goals. However, if he can sustain his current form, his presence could be the extra boost Arsenal needs to achieve their trophy aspirations.
Arteta’s Substitutions Spark Arsenal Comeback
Crystal Palace threatened an upset after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener, but Arteta’s changes at halftime turned the tide for the Gunners.
Palace opened the scoring with their first shot of the game, as Mateta outmuscled Jakub Kiwior to slot home. Arsenal, fielding a rotated lineup that included Kieran Tierney in his first appearance since the 2023 Community Shield, struggled to find rhythm. Arteta responded by bringing on captain Martin Odegaard and defender William Saliba at halftime.
The changes had an immediate impact. Arsenal upped the tempo, with Raheem Sterling hitting the bar after an initial save by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Odegaard then delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Jesus, who controlled beautifully and chipped the ball over Henderson to equalize.
Jesus doubled his tally minutes later, firing a low strike into the corner after a sharp assist from substitute Bukayo Saka. While the Brazilian appeared offside during the buildup, the absence of VAR in this round ensured the goal stood.
The hat-trick was sealed when Odegaard found Jesus again, and the striker drilled his shot past Henderson to put Arsenal firmly in control. Eddie Nketiah, a former Arsenal player now with Palace, scored a consolation goal, but the Gunners held on to book their spot in the semi-finals.
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