Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus was the star of the show during their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
The Gunners won 3-2, taking them to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the first time since the 2021/22 season, when they lost to eventual champions Liverpool.
They went behind early after Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored the opening goal for Palace. Jesus then scored an equaliser after 54 minutes, before netting again 19 minutes later.
He then netted a third to complete a hat-trick in the 81st minute, before former Gunner Eddie Nketiah scored a late consolation for Palace.
Arsenal fans will be delighted as Jesus hasn’t yet scored the season. He’s lost the starting spot in Mikel Arteta‘s XI to Kai Havertz, who has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.
Jesus won the player of the match award, and Arsenal fans took to X to react to the stand-out performance from the Brazilian.
What a performance by Gabriel Jesus! You could see in his eyes how much he wanted the goals.
Glad he could show up for the team when he was needed yesterday— Arákùnrin Ọlámíjùwọ́n🇳🇬 (@olamijuwon1007) December 19, 2024
Good performance from G. Jesus. A striker that is better than Havertz but denied playing time by injuries.
More games, more goals 😊👍 pic.twitter.com/oUX8LJkITK
— Adnan Januzaj (@OmoladeAdnan) December 19, 2024
What a performance from Gabriel Jesus! Really earned that matchball! 👏🔥⚽️
— Angelina (@AngelinaDoll007) December 19, 2024
that was some serious skill on display last night, well deserved
— Moolah (@Nate_Verse) December 19, 2024
He needed that
— The Game (@TheGameBx) December 19, 2024
Amazing what a goal does for his confidence………
His movement, his chaos and his touch are all still there, now hopefully, his composure and finishing is back.
A fully fit and confident Gabriel Jesus can be dangerous 👊👏— Cookie (@Danielsonjc93) December 19, 2024
Please give him a run of games
— BIG CALA🔴⚪️🔫 (@arsenal_deep) December 19, 2024
Jesus embroiled in Arsenal transfer saga
The 27-year-old has recently been subject to reports suggesting that Arsenal could sell him in the January transfer window.
A recent report claimed that the Gunners were preparing a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic with Jesus involved as part of a swap deal with the Serie A club.
The Brazilian will hope that he can kick on now that he has netted his first three of the season, and regain his place in Arteta’s starting XI.
