GABRIEL JESUS netted a hat-trick to see Arsenal into the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals after the Gunners found themselves 1-0 down within three minutes.
Disaster looked like it had struck in just the third minute when Jakub Kiwior failed to clear a Dean Henderson long ball up the pitch, which allowed Jean Phillipe Mateta to open the scoring.
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The chances came and went for Arsenal, with Raheem Sterling missing from just inches out TWICE which saw it 1-0 at the break.
Mikel Arteta made two key changes which changed the game for the Gunners, one of which was the magisterial Martin Odegaard who almost instantly set up Jesus to level things up.
And before you knew it Jesus, who looked like his career was over as Arsenal’s number nine, had buried two more fine finishes to secure the Gunners’ victory.
A late consolation from returning striker Eddie Nketiah was not enough to see Palace get back in the game.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
DAVID RAYA – 7/10
Didn’t have much to do after conceding to Jean Phillipe Mateta early inside three minutes, and there wasn’t a whole lot he could do about the goal.
Claimed crosses well and distributed well from the back too, another pretty solid performance.
THOMAS PARTEY – 4
Sideways. Backwards. Sideways. Backwards. Sideways…
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You get the jist – very poor in an attacking sense and seemed laborious throughout the game.
Was hooked at half-time and replaced by the imperious William Saliba.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Was physically targeted by Mateta in the first half, but stood up to him fairly well before moving to right-back in the second half.
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Was significantly improved as a full-back, and provided impetus and energy on the flank.
JAKUB KIWIOR – 4
Failed to deal with a long ball over the top, which saw Mateta shrug him off and slot home Palace’s opening goal.
Improved in the second half, but looked a class apart from William Saliba next to him.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 7
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Made his first start for Arsenal in 584 days, and fans were excited to see him get down the left-hand side and put crosses into the box, which he delivered.
A solid showing on his return to the side, he should’ve been rewarded with an assist but for the finishing of Raheem Sterling.
JORGINHO – 4
Kept things ticking over in midfield for the Gunners as he has for much of his career.
Didn’t show any sort of cutting edge though, and looked like his legs were gone in the second half.
Didn’t look any better than his opposite number Will Hughes.
MIKEL MERINO – 4
Tough to really see what he provides to this Arsenal team, or why he was bought in.
Sometimes showed moments of quality with his passing, but still looks worlds away from Granit Xhaka whom he ‘replaced’.
ETHAN NWANERI – 6
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The youngster who has more than impressed in his time at Arsenal so far was probably their most eloquent attacker on the night.
He’s no Martin Odegaard yet, but showed heaps of promise and out-performed stars on heaps more money than he is.
Was replaced at half-time by Martin Odegaard.
RAHEEM STERLING – 3
Forced a good save from Dean Henderson with a dangerous free-kick in the first half but often took too long on the ball and lost possession.
Missed a huge chance early in the second half from a few yards out, before somehow hitting the bar with the rebound.
We are still waiting to see the best of him in an Arsenal shirt, as he promised.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Was a threat to Crystal Palace in the first half, but ultimately lacked any sort of end product, often being let down by his touch and finish.
To give him some credit, he worked infinitely harder than any other Arsenal attacker.
GABRIEL JESUS – 10
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Just when Gabriel Jesus’ career looked dead and buried as Arsenal’s number nine, it was resurrected by three brilliant finishes to win the game for the Gunners.
The first was a delicate chip over Dean Henderson after showing great tenacity to stay on his feet, the second a composed finish into the bottom left corner and the third almost a replica of the second.
Jesus and Christmas time, a match made in heaven.
SUBS:
MARTIN ODEGAARD (ETHAN NWANERI, 64) – 9
Replacing his apprentice at half-time, he instantly showed why he’s the master.
An eye of the needle pass into the feet of Gabriel Jesus allowed Arsenal to equalise, before he delivered again for Jesus to net his third.
He was generally the shot of quality Arsenal needed in the 2nd half, and a pleasure to watch with the ball under his spell.
WILLIAM SALIBA (THOMAS PARTEY, 64) – 7
A calming presence for this Arsenal team, as soon as he came on they looked 10x better.
Was out-jumped by ex-teammate Eddie Nketiah who scored a brilliant header to provide a nervy ending for the home fans.
BUKAYO SAKA (RAHEEM STERLING, 69) – 8
Came on and instantly showed Raheem how it’s done.
Just a few touches before a perfect ball into Gabriel Jesus who finished brilliantly, that’s why he’s the starboy.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (KIERAN TIERNEY, 69) – 6
Another confident performance from Hale End’s latest superstar, he is growing into the side really well.
Ultimately didn’t have too much of the ball or really offer the threat that Tierney did, but with limited game time it was another good showing with minutes in the tank.
GABRIEL (JAKUB KIWIOR, 87) – 6
Was crucially in the right place to clear an Eddie Nketiah cross which could’ve levelled the scoring at the end.
Didn’t have much time to impact the game, but his return was welcomed and he was strong in the air to see out the match.
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