GABRIEL JESUS broke his goal drought at a crucial moment for Arsenal.

The Gunners’ striker entered this Carabao Cup quarter-final with just one goal all season – and only TWO for the club across the whole of 2024.

But when Arsenal needed him most, the Brazilian delivered, scoring a hat-trick to sink Crystal Palace – his first club treble since April 2022 during his Manchester City days.

His second goal in the 73rd minute, completing the turnaround after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s shocking fourth-minute opener, likely shouldn’t have stood as VAR missed a close offside.

However, given Jesus’ struggles in front of goal and lack of confidence in recent months, focusing on that would feel unfair. This was arguably his best Arsenal performance in months, if not years.

And how Mikel Arteta needed it, as his decision to make EIGHT changes almost backfired, though Eddie Nketiah briefly added tension with a late goal on his Emirates return.

Approaching his five-year anniversary as Arsenal manager, Arteta keeps hopes alive of a Wembley trip and another trophy to add to their 2020 FA Cup win.

By February’s final, if Arsenal get there, Arteta will likely avoid resting key players like William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz as he did here.

Palace started with a clear strategy – launching long balls for Mateta to challenge Jakub Kiwior in the air.

It quickly worked. Dean Henderson’s towering kick from his six-yard box swirled through the wind and rain, catching Kiwior unprepared to deal with it cleanly.

6Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock in the fourth minuteCredit: GETTY

6Gabriel Jesus drew the home side level in the 52nd minute with a neat finishCredit: AP

6The Brazilian struck twice in seven minutes to secure the Gunners passage to the semi-finalsCredit: PA

6The 27-year-old’s hat-trick was his first in over two-and-a-half years

The Polish international committed a crime against defenders and let it bounce, allowing Mateta to muscle in, race clear and calmly slot into David Raya’s far corner.

The packed-out extended away end was rattling. Kiwior was rattled, minutes later losing a tussle with Ismaila Sarr allowing a dangerous cross into the box.

Kiwior’s nerves gave his teammates a jolt and chances followed. Leandro Trossard blazed over from Raheem Sterling’s cutback.

Yet Palace were comfortable. Sarr nipped in ahead of a sleepy Jesus and the Eagles striker saw his deflected effort denied by Raya’s legs.

The visitors were so relaxed that they tried trick shots. Eberechi Eze tried to lob Raya from just inside the Arsenal half.

Fairly toothless from open play – yet again this season – Sterling came close with a free-kick that was well tipped over by Henderson.

But Arteta remained unmoved, frustrated.

With the rest of the Gunners squad receiving an earful from Arteta at half-time, the home fans were given a sneak peak of the changes that simply had to be made to resurrect the game.

Odegaard – in full kit – was put through his paces around some cones in the rain and applauding the crowd. The saviour was on his way.

Saliba joined the Norwegian in a necessary shake-up. Off came Thomas Partey with Jurrien Timber switched to a more natural right-back role. Nwaneri was sacrificed for a more experienced creator.

Unsurprisingly, there was an instant impact, as well as a miss-of-the-season contender – and likely winner.

6

Kieran Tierney – starting his first game for six months and first for Arsenal since May 2023 – bombed forward and his low cross found its way to an unmarked Sterling at the back post. His first effort was poor, straight at Henderson.

His second was abysmal, managing to scoop the rebound off the bar with an open goal gaping from one yard out.

It was a head-in-hands moment of disbelief. In the 52nd minute, Timber dithered in the box when shooting would have been easier.

Two minutes later, the breakthrough.

The release of tension. Odegaard’s divine ball to split the Palace defence was a beauty, as was Jesus’ chipped finish after hurdling a Trevor Chalobah lunge.

Jesus was looking like his old self, zipping and spinning with a confidence and almost poked past Henderson just after the hour mark as Arsenal strengthened further in the 68th minute.

Tierney’s race was run, replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly and Sterling made way for Saka – another sub whose impact was mighty, teeing up Jesus and Arsenal’s second.

Saka’s pass for Jesus would have surely been pulled back for offside with VAR present, but the finish was unexpectedly lethal into the side-netting regardless.

And on a speedy counter, Jesus was in again, surely struggling to believe the time he had to nick a third and a semi-final place before Nketiah’s crafty 85th minute header added some spice.

Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah set up a nervy finish in the 85th minute but the home side held onCredit: Reuters