Jesus hat-trick sends Arsenal into EFL Cup semi-finals

A second half hat-trick for Gabriel Jesus saw Arsenal battle back from a goal behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2.

After making eight changes, Mikel Arteta was under pressure after Jean-Philippe Mateta muscled his way through the hesitant defence to put Palace ahead with less than four minutes on the clock.

Arteta became increasingly frustrated with his side during the first half and introduced Martin Odegaard at the break.

The Norwegian midfielder helped to turn the game, feeding the ball through for Jesus to pull his side level.

Fellow substitute Bukayo Saka was next to assist striker Jesus, who beat goalkeeper Dean Henderson to give his side a 73rd-minute lead.

With Palace pushing forward, Odegaard was able to release Jesus in on goal for his hat-trick. The Arsenal striker came into the game having not scored at the Emirates in 367 days, but showed no hesitation in sealing the win.

Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah gave his old side a late scare by heading a goal back. However, Arsenal showed the composure to see off the match and book their semi-final spot.

Arsenal will await the semi-final draw and have landed a psychological blow over Palace, who they meet in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Arteta worried Arsenal fans by making eight changes from the side that drew against Everton at the weekend.

Their fears came to fruition as Mateta put Palace into an early lead, and the visitors looked comfortable during the first half of the London derby clash.

With Arteta having only won one major trophy during his tenure at the club and Arsenal having not won the League Cup for 31 years, the Spanish boss quickly made changes.

Arteta turned to Odegaard at half-time and the Norwegian grabbed control of the match and opened the Palace defence.

Odegaard provided two assists and fellow substitute Saka the other, as their eloquent through balls released Jesus for the three crucial goals.

The Brazilian striker ended his long goal-scoring draught at the Emirates, which dated back over a calendar year.

The No. 9 showed no hesitation as he fired home the equaliser with a true striker’s finish, and beat Henderson again for his second.

Jesus looked sharp, and his well-timed run and ruthless finish put the match beyond Palace.

Jesus is yet to score his first Premier League goal this season, but if he can transfer his League Cup form, then Arteta may have the answer to his prayers.

A lack of ruthlessness saw The Gunners drop points against Everton and Fulham in the last two weeks. Jesus could change that form and should have done enough to earn himself a start when Arsenal travel to Palace on Saturday.

Arsenal: Raya 7, Partey 6, Timber 6, Kiwior 6, Tierney 7, Jorginho 6, Merino 7, Nwaneri 6, Sterling 7, Trossard 7, Jesus 8. Subs: Saliba 7, Gabriel 6, Lewis-Skelly 6, Odegaard 8, Saka 7

Crystal Palace: Henderson 7, Kporha 7, Chalobah 6, Lacroix 6, Guehi 6, Mitchell 6, Lerma 7, Hughes 6, Eze 6, Sarr 7, Mateta 7. Subs: Clyne 6, Schlupp 6, Devenny 6, Kamada 6, Nketiah 7

4’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (MATETA): A long ball forward sees Mateta outmuscle Kiwior and then run into the box and fire across the goalkeeper and home

51’ – STERLING HAS BIG EFFORT SAVED: Trossard skips away down the wing and then sends an inviting ball into the path of Sterling. Goalkeeper Henderson saves the first effort at close range and then clips the rebound off the crossbar.

54’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1 (JESUS) CRYSTAL PALACE 1: A lovely ball through from Odegaard finds the run of Jesus who takes a touch to take him through on goal and then clips the ball over the goalkeeper.

73’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2 (JESUS) CRYSTAL PALACE 1: Saka turns with one touch and then slides the ball into the path of Jesus. The striker looks up and rifles his effort into the bottom corner.

81’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 3 (JESUS) CRYSTAL PALACE 1: Odegaard releases Jesus with a nice through ball which leaves the striker clear on goal. Again the marksman fires across Henderson and into the net.

85’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 3 CRYSTAL PALACE 2 (NKETIAH): The former Arsenal man heads his side back into the match with a fine effort which flies into the net, from Clyne’s cross.