Arsenal secured their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024. The match was marked by Gabriel Jesus's standout performance, as the Brazilian forward scored all three of Arsenal's goals, completing his hat trick and leading the Gunners through to the next round.
From the outset, Palace aimed to impose themselves, opening the scoring just four minutes after kick-off when Jean-Philippe Mateta struck decisively, putting the visitors ahead with confidence. Arsenal, traditionally dominant at home, responded with persistent pressure but struggled to break down Palace's resolute defense.
Half-time saw Arsenal trailing, largely due to their failure to convert possession. Manager Mikel Arteta opted for tactical changes after the break, introducing key players such as Martin Ødegaard, and this decision quickly paid off. Just nine minutes after the resumption, Ødegaard's deft pass found Jesus, who calmly equalized for Arsenal by chipping the ball over the advancing Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson.
With the crowd galvanized by this breakthrough, Arsenal began to showcase their attacking prowess. On 73 minutes, Jesus struck again with another powerful finish after receiving an assist from Ødegaard. It appeared Arsenal had turned the tide decisively.
Jesus completed his hat trick with another well-timed run and finish at 81 minutes, showing both excellent skill and composure to place the ball expertly beyond Henderson yet again, solidifying Arsenal's lead at 3-1 and invoking scenes of jubilation among Gunners supporters.
Despite the match seemingly heading for a comfortable Arsenal victory, Crystal Palace clawed one goal back—Eddie Nketiah, who had once donned the Arsenal jersey, headed home from Nathaniel Clyne's cross. This late goal, scored at the 85-minute mark, injected tension back to the contest, bringing the score to 3-2.
The Gunners, now under pressure, had to navigate five added minutes skillfully. With Palace pressing for another equalizer, the Emirates Stadium was rife with anxiety and excitement as they battled for survival. Arsenal’s defense, led by impressive young talents, held firm, and Palace’s attempts to level the score were thwarted.
Overall, Arsenal showcased resilience and skill, securing their position with Jesus’s heroics and their tactical adjustments. This victory not only carries Arsenal within reach of another trophy but also demonstrates their depth and adaptability, particularly with key players sidelined due to injuries.
Palace's inability to capitalize on their early lead highlights their struggles this season, and manager Oliver Glasner will undoubtedly review their approach as they have yet to secure major silverware since their last appearance at this advanced stage of the EFL Cup back in the 2011/12 season.
The match also unfolded without the oversight of VAR, which had fans and pundits expressing curiosity about potential missed calls throughout the game. Arsenal's next task will be to maintain momentum as they chase the Carabao Cup title, alongside their commitments to the Premier League. Their next fixture promises to be just as intense, with fans eager to see if Arteta’s men can continue this run of good form.
