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Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick in the second half as Arsenal they organized an impressive fight for a place in the semi-finals Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win Crystal Palace.
The hosts stared at the irresistible exit out of the contest at half-time after Jean-Philippe Mateta opened for Palace after just four minutes.
But Jesus, who has scored only once this season heading into Wednesday’s game, he hit a 3-pointer in the second period with substitutions Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both are central to his catch.
Eddie Nketiah, who was sold to Palace from Arsenal in the summer, scored with five minutes remaining to give his new employers hope, but the Gunners held on to secure their bottom four spot.
Mikel Arteta has overseen just one trophy in his five years in charge of Arsenal – an FA Cup triumph in 2020 – and the Spaniard said ahead of Wednesday’s match that winning the Carabao Cup could provide a snowball effect for further glory.
But Arteta made eight changes after a goalless draw against Everton and they fell behind after just 184 seconds when Jakub Kiwior – playing at the heart of Arsenal’s defense with Gabriel and William Saliba both on the bench – made a mess of a long ball over the bench. header from Palace stopper Dean Henderson.
Mateta was quick to pounce on Kiwior’s misjudgment, controlling the ball with his chest, taking another touch with his left boot before curling a cynical finish past David Ray to silence the Emirates.
Arsenal were looking for a quick response and Kieran Tierney – making his first appearance for Arsenal in 500 days – wanted a penalty when his cross hit the arm of Trevor Chalobah. But referee Andrew Madley rejected the Scotland international’s appeal. VAR, which is not in use, could not come to Arsenal’s aid.
Arsenal’s only goal during a lackluster opening period came in the 31st minute when Jesus was fouled on the edge of the area. Raheem Sterling’s ensuing free-kick looked to dip under Palace’s crossbar, only for Henderson to parry the striker’s effort away.
Arteta wasted no time making changes at the break with the introduction of Odegaard and Saliba.
And within five minutes of the restart, Arsenal should have been level. Tierney’s brilliant ball across the penalty area fell to an unmarked Sterling. Henderson saved Sterling’s first shot before hitting the rebound onto the crossbar.
Leandro Trossard’s deflected shot then broke through the wet surface, forcing Henderson to parry the ball before Mikel Merino fired wide.
Arsenal made their intentions known and they soon equalized. Unsurprisingly, Odegaard was the supplier. With a lovely ball back, the skipper found Jesus, who rode the challenge of Chalobah before slotting the ball past the onrushing Henderson and the Emirates were suddenly alive.
Jesus, lifted by his goal, rolled Maxence Lacroix and fired a shot into the Palace goal only for Henderson to save. Arsenal dominated, but with the match even, Arteta turned into another main asset for Saka in the 21st minute.
And within minutes of his introduction, Arsenal were ahead. Odegaard found Saka who played in Jesus with the Brazilian firing his second. Replays showed that Jesus may have been slightly offside when he received the ball, but assistant referee Nick Hopton’s flag stayed down and Jesus made no mistake in the finish.
Then, with nine minutes remaining, Jesus completed his hat-trick, latching on to another defence-splitting pass from Odegaard before firing past Henderson.
Nketiah, who scored 38 goals in seven years at Arsenal before his £30million move to Selhurst Park, produced a fine header to keep the tie level after 85 minutes.
However, the Gunners, who will travel to Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, saw victory.