Arsenal-Crystal Palace was literally a roller coaster match. The Gunners started badly, down by a goal after just four laps of the clock due to Mateta’s flash goal, but upon returning for the second half, Gabriel Jesus took center stage. Two goals that turned the tide of the match in the 73rd minute, but the Glaziers did not give up, on the contrary they caught Arsenal by the skin of their teeth with the 2-2 scored by the former Nketiah – twist of fate -, but the striker Brazilian ex City got Arteta’s crew out of trouble and potential penalties with the hat-trick in the 81st minute. The Gunners fly to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
The result
Arsenal – Crystal Palace 3-2
Mateta 4′; G. Jesus 81′, 73′, 54′; Nketiah 85′
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya; Partey, Timber, Kiwior, Tierney; Jorginho, Merino; Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard; Jesus. Available: Setford, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz. Coach: Arteta.
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Kporha, Chalobah, Lacroix; Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes; Eze, Sarr; Tests. Available: Turner (GK), Clyne, Ward, Richards, Doucoure, Schlupp, Devenny, Kamada, Nketiah. Coaches: Glasner.
Carabao Cup, the quarter finals
Wednesday 18 December
Arsenal – Crystal Palace 3-2
Newcastle – Brentford
Southampton – Liverpool
Thursday 19 December
Tottenham – Manchester United
*those who advance to the semi-finals are in bold
