Gabriel Jesus' second-half hat-trick put Arsenal into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday. (More Football News)
𓃲Making just his eighth start in all competitions this season, Jesus staked a claim to make his way back into the Gunners' line-up to face the Eagles in the Premier League this weekend.
ꦚPalace were ahead in the fourth minute when Dean Henderson's long punt forward was picked up by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who outmuscled Jakub Kiwior before finishing low into the far-left corner.
꧒Henderson was then called upon after a sustained spell of Arsenal pressure, brilliantly tipping over Raheem Sterling's free-kick before Arsenal got their goal after the break.
💯Jesus gathered substitute Martin Odegaard's incisive pass before riding the challenge of Trevoh Chalobah to delicately lift the ball over Henderson.
🥀The Brazilian combined with another one of Mikel Arteta's changes soon after, rifling the ball into the bottom-right corner after being played in behind by Bukayo Saka.
⭕Jesus then completed his first Arsenal treble eight minutes later, racing through on goal after another pick-out by Odegaard to finish fiercely beyond the goalkeeper.
꧅Hopes of a Palace comeback were ignited late on when the returning Eddie Nketiah planted Nathaniel Clyne's cross home, but the Eagles were unable to force penalties.
Data Debrief: Super subs the difference
♒Arteta would have been hoping to give some of his first-team starters a rest ahead of facing Palace on Sunday, but the Gunners' quality from the bench proved decisive.
🌄Odegaard in particular was the most effective of those changes, creating more chances (three) than anyone else on the pitch, despite only coming on at half-time.
🦹Saka also played his part with an assist, but the real hero at the Emirates was Jesus, who contributed a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 1.31 to Arsenal's 2.09 total.
