Gabriel Jesus has spoken about the emotional significance of his hat-trick performance in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian striker, who was the hero of the night, described the moment as particularly special, revealing the personal motivation behind his display.
“It’s a special time,” Jesus told Arsenal Media. “I had pressure on my shoulders to score today, and then I walked onto the pitch with my daughter as well, so she gave me power, a smile, everything. Then I could score goals and celebrate with my family, and dedicate [my goals] to another baby.”
The striker’s wife is currently pregnant, adding an extra layer of emotion to the performance. Walking out with his daughter by his side seemed to inspire him, as he netted a hat-trick to propel Arsenal into the semi-finals of the competition. His first goal came early in the second half, when he calmly lobbed the ball over the Palace goalkeeper to level the score after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early opener. Jesus then put the Gunners ahead with a powerful strike into the bottom left corner, before completing his hat-trick by taking advantage of a counter-attack initiated by substitute Martin Ødegaard.
Despite a nervy finish with Eddie Nketiah’s header reducing the deficit to 3-2, Arsenal held on to secure the win and a place in the next round.
This victory added to Arsenal’s solid start to the 2024/25 season, with the team currently sitting in third place in the Premier League, having accumulated 30 points from 16 matches. The Gunners’ next challenge will see them face Crystal Palace once again, this time in the league, at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Jesus’ performance was a testament to his importance to the team and his personal motivation, making the night even more unforgettable for him and his family.