Arsenal staged a thrilling comeback to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, turning the tide against Crystal Palace after trailing at halftime. Gabriel Jesus was the star of the show, netting three goals to lead the Gunners to a 3-2 victory, showing signs of the form he has struggled to find this season.
The match at the Emirates Stadium was filled with drama, beginning with Crystal Palace taking the lead early on. A defensive mistake by Jakub Kiwior allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta to score, putting the visitors 1-0 up. Arsenal struggled to respond effectively in the first half, failing to capitalize on their possession, which hovered around 74% at one point. The attack looked disjointed, and their efforts didn’t convert, leaving the home fans anxious.
At halftime, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, made key changes to boost his team's performance. Introducing Martin Odegaard among others, Arteta aimed to awaken his squad's sleeping potential. The adjustments proved pivotal as the Gunners returned to the pitch with renewed vigor.
Within nine minutes of the restart, Gabriel Jesus—who had only scored two goals all year before this match—found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. His first goal came after clean work from Odegaard, who provided the assist. The Brazilian’s confidence visibly returned as he played with newfound freedom.
Just minutes later, Jesus struck again, making it 2-1. This time he cut through the Crystal Palace defense from the right flank for another beautifully executed goal. Shortly after, the Brazilian completed his hat-trick with another solo effort, effectively silencing the Palace contingent and sending the Arsenal faithful roaring.
"I can score goals, you know?" Jesus exclaimed post-match. "I can create, I can make assists, I can run, I can help the team to defend. I am working hard, finishing more, and putting myself in good positions. I think today my hard work paid off." His performance not only transformed the match but also reignited debates about his value to the Arsenal squad.
Despite Arsenal’s commanding lead, the match took another twist when former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Crystal Palace with just ten minutes remaining, making it 3-2 and injecting tension back the contest. Nketiah, known for his historic moments at the Emirates, was determined to make his mark against his old club, and he nearly drew his side level.
The closing minutes were marked with frantic gameplay as both teams pushed for another goal. Crystal Palace sought to pressure Arsenal, hoping to take the match to penalties. Arsenal fans held their breath as they rallied behind their players, urging them to see out the match.
By the final whistle, Arsenal emerged victorious. The score of 3-2 confirmed their place in the semi-finals, much to the relief of manager Mikel Arteta and the home supporters, who had been left anxious after the first half. The Gunners had showcased their resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure.
The match highlighted the stark contrasts between Arsenal’s first and second-half performances. "We are on the right path, and we have players who can turn games around like Gabriel,” Arteta commented afterward, expressing his satisfaction with the resilience shown by his team.
Moving forward, Arsenal will aim to build on this momentum as they continue to chase silverware this season. The performance of Gabriel Jesus especially raises the question: has he finally regained his form?
With this victory, the Gunners not only entertain hopes of advancing through the Carabao Cup but continue their campaign to reclaim glory on multiple fronts this season.
