Gabriel Jesus was certainly the star of the show during Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in their EFL Cup quarter-final.
Despite a drab first half, it felt as if Arsenal returned the fun to the Emirates Stadium in the second 45 minutes, a display full of pace, direct passing and good finishing.
Of course, it’s not often you associate prolific goalscoring with Jesus, who has struggled in front of goal for a long time in north London.
Prior to his superb hat-trick against Palace, the Brazilian hadn’t scored at home for Arsenal in over a year – the club’s second-choice striker.
Perhaps this confidence boost will now be a turning point for Jesus, who may even keep his starting spot against Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Gabriel Jesus scores brilliant Arsenal hat-trick after all of his hard work
Along with the supporters present in N5, Jesus’ Arsenal teammates were also delighted to see the striker back amongst the goals.
The outpouring of love Jesus received on his Instagram account appeared to tell a story, a player who is working so hard behind the scenes to improve his form.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirat...
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
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Missing the win owing to injury, Declan Rice sent Jesus a message from the stands on his own account.
Rice simply said: “You deserve this brother, so happy for you.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko, a close friend of Jesus’, also penned a message on his own Instagram story saying: “Deserved more than anyone else.”
Jesus’ replies were full of good wishes from those playing around them, players who recognise every bit of effort the forward is putting in at London Colney.
Mikel Arteta thinks Gabriel Jesus can still be a game changer for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta also spoke glowingly about his Brazilian striker at his press conference too.
Martin Odegaard was also brilliant for Arsenal, a player Arteta also praised, but it was the manager’s words on Jesus which were particularly pertinent.
Arteta said: “So pleased for him, it’s been a long period for him without goals and today to score three goals, the three type of goals he scored tonight as well and many actions he was involved, he looked really sharp.
“I think it’s a great thing for him, great thing for the team that we can rely on a player with such a quality, same with Kieran, same with all the players who haven’t started many games and had the chance to do so.”
Then asked if Jesus can be a game-changer for the rest of this season, Arteta continued: “Yeah well he brings something, he has that quality, he has a way of creating, generating situations that is quite unique, Gabby at that level obviously is a big asset
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