ARSENAL have beaten Crystal Palace 3-2 to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Gabriel Jesus scored a stunning second-half hat-trick as the Gunners fought back in some style after going a goal down early after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s strike.
Former Gunner Eddie Nketiah netted a late header to set up a thrilling finale, but the hosts held on and will be in tomorrow’s draw for the final four.
- Kick-off time: 7.30pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
- Arsenal starting team: Raya; Partey, Timber, Kiwior, Tierney; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Trossard, Jesus
- Palace starting team: Henderson; Guehi, Chalobah, Lacroix; Kporha, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
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Owners with January dilemma to address
The big question in the Arsenal boardroom over the next couple of weeks will no doubt be the impending transfer window.
They will feel that they have backed Mikel Arteta with transfer funds but whether they give him a kitty to strengthen in the middle of the season is another thing.
Despite all the signings, they do not seem to have the required depth needed to challenge for silverware on all fronts, that was underpinned tonight by having to bring Odegaard on at the interval.
It will be interesting to see how things develop as this will tell us whether they feel the Spaniard has already had enough to achieve their goals.
Forward hits back at critics
Arsenal’s hat-trick hero spoke with Sky Sports after the game on his performance against Crystal Palace this evening.
You know what, I am the kind of player who can score goals. I can drop off, come short and link play. But there are times where the goals do not come.That is why I am working a lot in training on my finishing. I think today my hard work paid off.
Gabriel Jesus
Proof is in the pudding
Gabriel Jesus fits the mould of the many strikers who focus far too much on linking play than having that hunger to score.
Dropping deep, making runs into the channels out wide and offering yourself as an option to midfielders takes one of the main threats that is required of a striker away.
All too often teams with these kinds of players get quality balls into the box and there is nobody there to get on the end of it.
It seemed this evening that the Brazilian spent more time in the penalty area and as a result, he got his rewards for it.
Home is where the heart is
Crystal Palace have a difficult run of fixtures ahead, where they will play two of the top four in their league fixtures.
The one thing they can look forward to is having so many home fixtures to utilise.
Selhurst Park can be an intimidating place to visit when The Eagles are on it and they are more than capable of an upset.
Arteta waits for semi-final draw
There are some interesting potentials for The Gunners in the next round of the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 to book their place, while Liverpool edged out Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s.
With Man Utd and Tottenham still to play, it could even be a North London derby in the semi-finals to add a little spice to the competition.
Ready Eddie makes claim for start
Eddie Nketiah will have done himself no harm this evening in letting the manager know he is hungry for starts.
Oliver Glasner seems to pick Jean-Philippe Mateta as his first-choice striker but he may have to rethink his tactics.
If he could make room for both strikers in his side, it would certainly add some firepower to The Eagles.
The former Arsenal man took his goal well to make it a nervy end to the game in North London.
Credit: PA Gunners off on their travels
Arsenal will need to work on their away form over the Christmas fixture period.
They have some tricky fixtures on the road coming up.
Arteta will be pleased that they have finally scored from open play this evening to get that monkey off their back.
Boss shows where priorities lie
At a crucial point in this game, with the scores level, Oliver Glasner brought off Mateta and Eze.
It seemed more important to the Palace manager to have his players fit for their weekend clash with The Gunners at Selhurst Park.
Always a strange one to get your head around when you have got as far as the quarter-final stage.
Securing their Premier League status for another season comes with far greater financial rewards, that is for sure.
Youngster needs to bounce back
Ethan Nwaneri will have to put this performance behind him.
It is never nice to get the hook at half-time but Arteta saw fit for him to make way for Martin Odegaard.
The young midfielder has a long career ahead of him, there will no doubt be a few poor performances from time to time.
Credit: Getty
Gunners up against it, Jesus saves
It was a night to remember for Gabriel Jesus.
The striker had been on something of a goal drought this season and questions were being asked about his returns for Arsenal.
He answered his critics in the perfect fashion as he bagged three goals to see his side through to the semi-finals.
The Brazilian just has to try and find some room in his bag for that match ball now.
Credit: Reuters Italian gets back to basics
Jorginho is never going to set a football pitch alight.
That is not his game, what he does mainly goes under the radar.
However, what he did tonight was just what The Gunners needed as he patrolled the midfield areas breaking up play.
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
It was a game of two halves at The Emirates.
Once Odegaard came on, they looked a different team.
Might be a good time for him to ask for a pay rise, he carries this Arsenal team.
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
The referee brings the game to a close.
Arsenal are through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
An entertaining game in North London.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
90+4. It is baffling how many empty seats there are in the ground now.
This game is finely poised still but apparently missing the traffic is more important than catching the action.
‘Prawn sandwich brigade’ as Roy Keane would call them.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
90+2. Time is running out for The Eagles.
They need to throw caution to the wind now.
You don’t get anything for running teams close in football.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
90. Nketiah is looking lively up top.
He beat Saliba for pace there and cuts the ball back from the byline but no Palace player can get on the end of it.
We may yet have late drama here.
Don’t forget, there is no extra time tonight, if the visitors equalise we will have penalties.
There will be five added minutes.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
88. The Gunners should have enough to see this out.
Chalobah felt he was fouled by Merino so grabs the ball as he goes down.
The referee disagrees and penalises him for handball.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
86. Kiwior is coming off for Gabriel.
That says a lot about Arteta’s mindset now.
He wants to hold on to what they have.
Credit: AP Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace
84. Well, that should make for a more exciting climax.
As the cross comes into the box, Nketiah gets up and heads past Raya from some distance.
Great goal from the former Gunner.
Goal – Eddie Nketiah (Crystal Palace)
Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
82. Well this has definitely made the trip to The Emirates worthwhile for all those Arsenal fans.
A Gabriel Jesus hat-trick is rare commodity.
It is like having watched the moon landings live.
Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
80. Jesus is slotted clean through on goal.
As Henderson comes out to close him down, he passes it into the far corner.
It is a hat-trick for the Brazilian.
Goal – Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
78. Henderson comes out to the collect the ball on the edge of his box.
He almost carries the ball out of the penalty area with him.
Arsenal are briming with confidence right now.
Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace
76. You feel Arsenal will have too much for the visitors now.
With Saka and Odegaard on the pitch, they are able to open up Crystal Palace at will.
It is hard to see a way back into this game for Glasner’s side.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
