You want some open-play goals? How 'bout three.
As predicted, Arsenal didn't have it all their own way against an in-form Crystal Palace side on Wednesday night, with the hosts falling 1-0 behind early.
Mikel Arteta made the hosts' task harder by rotating his XI heavily, but he at least acted proactively to help shift the momentum of the contest. The boss' half-time substitutions made a huge difference in proceedings, but it was one of the starters who ultimately decided the outcome of this Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Here were the three standout performers from Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Palace.
1.Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus
What a night for Gabriel Jesus! | Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages
Arteta opted for a double change after a flat first-half, and it wouldn't have been a surprise if Jesus was one of those to withdraw. He'd offered little early on - a continuation of the norm.
However, with one Martin Odegaard reverse pass, a switch flicked inside the Brazilian. Suddenly, it was August 2022 all over again. Jesus was a monster when the ball came into his feet, and some excellent work to bypass Trevoh Chalobah set-up his opening chance, which he finished delicately over Dean Henderson.
That goal would've been enough to convince many that something still resided inside the maligned forward. Little did we expect that the Second Coming of Christ would eventually manifest in north London.
After threatening a second goal after another slick spin in the box, Jesus scored twice more to record his first Arsenal hat-trick. Both strikes went across Henderson and were dispatched with the conviction that's escaped the striker's repertoire for God knows how long.
He's back, although Jesus typically does return at this time of year.
2.Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard helped Arsenal turn the tide in the second-half | Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Odegaard hasn't been at the races over the past couple of weeks, and while he wasn't particularly exceptional here, the captain did help turn the tide in the second half.
The right-hand side, even without Saka, who entered on the hour, was far more connected with Odegaard marauding and Jurrien Timber advancing from right-back. Suddenly, there was space for the hosts to exploit, and Odegaard made the most of it when he fizzed an excellent reverse pass into Jesus, who was left one-on-one with Chalobah. That led to the opening goal.
Thierry Henry recently pointed out how the skipper's conservatism in possession has contributed to the club's recent attacking malaise, and that pass into Jesus was almost recognition of such criticism.
3.Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney
Tierney's return lasted 70 minutes - but it was fun! | Marc Atkins/GettyImages
For the first time since August 2023, Kieran Tierney was included in an Arsenal XI.
Mikel Arteta has threatened to unleash the Scottish left-back following his return from a long-term injury, finally doing so on Wednesday night.
Tierney's performance arrived in spurts, but the left-back proved that he can still offer soemthing to Arteta's side. He was a reliable source of width down the left, getting open early down the flank to win a corner.
Tierney then delivered a superb driven cross for Raheem Sterling at the back post at the start of the second-half, but the winger somehow failed to convert from two simple attempts.
The full-back's night ended after 67 minutes due to injury, but we couldn't expect much more from a player who hasn't featured since the summer. This was an encouraging display.
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