Gabriel Jesus rediscovered his scoring touch in dramatic fashion, netting a hat-trick to propel Arsenal to a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarterfinals at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian striker, who had managed just one goal in 20 appearances across all competitions this season, delivered under pressure following Arsenal’s lackluster 0-0 Premier League draw with Everton last weekend.
Arsenal endured an early setback when Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on a defensive lapse by Jakub Kiwior to give Palace a fourth-minute lead. However, the Gunners rallied in the second half, spearheaded by Jesus.
The 27-year-old leveled the score in the 54th minute with a delicate chip and then struck again in the 73rd minute, narrowly beating the offside trap. Jesus completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish in the 81st minute, securing Arsenal’s place in the semifinals.
Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah added a consolation goal for Palace with a late header, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
“Sometimes I have this problem with a lack of goals,” Gabriel Jesus admitted post-match. “I’m working hard in training, focusing on finishing and positioning. Today, it paid off.”
Arsenal, aiming to end their 31-year wait for a League Cup title, made eight changes to their lineup as Mikel Arteta prioritized the Gunners’ upcoming Premier League clash against Palace. Despite the gamble, the performance reinforced Arsenal’s determination to compete on multiple fronts this season.
