Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought in style with a second-half hat-trick, leading Arsenal to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace and booking their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Brazilian striker, who had scored just once in his previous 33 Arsenal appearances across all competitions, delivered when it mattered most, rescuing Mikel Arteta’s side after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fourth-minute opener. Palace’s goal exposed Arsenal’s defensive frailty, with Jakub Kiwior too easily outmuscled by Mateta from Dean Henderson’s long punt forward, allowing the Frenchman to slot past David Raya.
The Gunners struggled for attacking fluency in the first half, with their best opportunities coming from set-pieces. Jefferson Lerma cleared Leandro Trossard’s corner off the line, while Henderson pushed Raheem Sterling’s free-kick away from the top corner. Arteta’s decision to introduce captain Martin Odegaard at the break proved pivotal.
Raheem Sterling came close early in the second half, firing straight at Henderson from Kieran Tierney’s cross before hitting the bar on the rebound. However, Jesus broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half, turning brilliantly in the box after a clever pass from Odegaard and finishing with a delicate chip over Henderson.
The Brazilian almost added a second shortly after, but Henderson pushed his effort into the side-netting. Arsenal’s momentum grew further with the introduction of Bukayo Saka, who assisted Jesus’s second goal with a precise pass into the box. Another sharp turn and composed finish from Jesus leveled the match, though there was a hint of offside with no VAR in play.
Eight minutes later, Jesus completed his hat-trick, breaking away in space to calmly find the far corner and claim the match ball.
Palace fought back, with former Gunner Eddie Nketiah scoring a superb late header to set up a nervy finish, but Arsenal held firm to secure a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the second time in three seasons.
