A second-half hat-trick by Gabriel Jesus saw Arsenal earn a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace and a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Born again, resurrected, back from the dead…we’ll let you choose your own divine metaphor for a player who has long been searching for his shooting boots.
It would be remiss not to point out that set-piece FC also scored all three goals from open play on a night when Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard came off the bench to great effect.
Here’s what the managers, players, solitary pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on his side’s performance…
Really happy, we’re in the semi-final. The game started in a way that we certainly didn’t want to with a very simple goal and then our team had to react and I think we did in a great way, showed a lot of character, so much desire to turn things around. In the first half we lacked some threat, we created two or three big chances but didn’t score and with a few adjustments in the second half we got a grip of the game again and we looked a threat.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Oliver Glasner on his side not doing enough…
When we scored two goals here at the Emirates – it should have been at least a [draw and therefore a] penalty shoot-out. But we weren’t good enough. We are self-critical. I think we didn’t perform at our best level. I mentioned it before at the press conference: we needed to perform at our best level to take the win. We missed several percentages. Out of possession, several percentages. In possession, we lost the ball too easily, too quick, and then the pressure increased.
Source: cpfc.co.uk
Arsenal (2.34) 3-2 (0.35) Crystal Palace
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) December 18, 2024
Gabriel Jesus on winning the game for Arsenal in the second half…
It feels amazing. Obviously, the first half wasn’t our best, but still in the second half we did our job, we created more, we kept the ball more, circulated the ball, made passes and then Martin put in two amazing balls in the end and B as well, and I could finish the action.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Palace’s teenage full-back Caleb Kporha on making his debut…
It was good news for me. At first, I thought no way, but I was just excited to show what I could do. I thought I was doing well in training, and I’ve got the chance to prove myself out there. It was a good moment for me and a joy to play against one of the best teams in the world. It hasn’t really sunk in yet really tonight.
Source: cpfc.co.uk
Feels amazing to be back out at the Emirates! Thank you so much for the reception… always grateful ❤️ Onto the semis 💪🏼 @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/T6WbJ9sOOO
— Kieran Tierney (@kierantierney1) December 18, 2024
Arteta on Tierney making a long-awaited return…
That’s the beauty of football – sometimes it goes in circles. He had to leave and have a loan spell, after a long, long injury as well and day-by-day has earned the right to get some trust from us again that he could help us, that he could be very important for the team, he could impact the team and tonight, he’s certainly done that.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Jesus on telling Odegaard where he wanted the ball…
The quality that Martin has is amazing. He’s a type of a player that can pass these balls and put you in front of the goal. That’s what I was telling him; I said “Martin I know your qualities, so I’ll go in behind. If it’s open, I go, you don’t need to look, I will be there.” He played amazing balls [in behind] and I was able to finish the action.
Source: Arsenal.com
Martin Odegaard was substituted on when Arsenal were 1-0 down at half-time…
In just 45 minutes, he provided 2 assists, created 4 chances, completed 2/2 dribbles and had 42 touches.
Leader 😤 pic.twitter.com/LqlitOC3Gx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 18, 2024
Arteta on what he wants from Jesus after tonight…
It’s now about consistency, so now obviously this is a moment of a spark that will give him so much confidence not only to him but to the team as well, now we can rely on him to change those games and now we need to take it, and give him more games, give him chances because when a player is in that moment it’s important to continue to do that.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Jesus on his ambitions for the season…
I came here to win the Premier League and my first two seasons we were there but for some details. This third season I want to win.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
Toda a Glória a Deus. 🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/SjMa2u1iPL
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) December 18, 2024
Alan Smith on Jesus’ opener…
Odegaard on as a sub, slide rule pass and that finish [from Jesus] is so subtle. For a player that is searching for form in front of goal it’s a really brave effort actually.
Source: Sky Sports
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Jesus on public perception of him…
I have scored a lot of goals but sometimes I have this problem with a lack of goals. I can create, I can make assist, I can run and help the team defending. When I score everyone sees, but when I don’t they want their striker to score goals and I agree with that. That is why I am working a lot in training, finishing more, putting myself in a good position to finish the action. I think my hard work has paid off.
Source: Sky Sports
Alan Smith is right in his comment. That 1st goal was not the finish of a player lacking confidence. So thankful whatever defender that was could not get to it.
When he first chose that finish all I could think was, “oh no, it’s gonna get cleared off the line.” Hopefully this marks a turning point and he can really contribute the rest of the season – the internal solution we so badly need right now!!!