Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace: Jesus hat-trick puts hosts into EFL Cup semis

Gabriel Jesus’ second-half hat-trick put Arsenal into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday.

Making just his eighth start in all competitions this season, Jesus staked a claim to make his way back into the Gunners’ line-up to face the Eagles in the Premier League this weekend.

Palace were ahead in the fourth minute when Dean Henderson’s long punt forward was picked up by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who outmuscled Jakub Kiwior before finishing low into the far-left corner.

Henderson was then called upon after a sustained spell of Arsenal pressure, brilliantly tipping over Raheem Sterling’s free-kick before Arsenal got their goal after the break.

Jesus gathered substitute Martin Odegaard’s incisive pass before riding the challenge of Trevoh Chalobah to delicately lift the ball over Henderson.

The Brazilian combined with another one of Mikel Arteta’s changes soon after, rifling the ball into the bottom-right corner after being played in behind by Bukayo Saka.

Jesus then completed his first Arsenal treble eight minutes later, racing through on goal after another pick-out by Odegaard to finish fiercely beyond the goalkeeper.

Hopes of a Palace comeback were ignited late on when the returning Eddie Nketiah planted Nathaniel Clyne’s cross home, but the Eagles were unable to force penalties.

Data Debrief: Super subs the difference

Arteta would have been hoping to give some of his first-team starters a rest ahead of facing Palace on Saturday, but the Gunners’ quality in reserve proved decisive.

Odegaard in particular was the most effective of those changes, creating more chances (three) than anyone else on the pitch, despite only coming on at half-time.

Saka also played his part with an assist, but the real hero at the Emirates was Jesus, who contributed a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 1.31 to Arsenal’s 2.09 total.