Although we bottled the Early goal lead to them but I have never faced such a dangerously aggressive player like Him in my career before,He did something that surprised everyone last night”, Palace star Mateta reveals the ONE Arsenal that really played to His satisfactory last night – Not Gabriel Jesus and Not Tierney
Although we bottled the Early goal lead to them but I have never faced such a dangerously aggressive player like Him in my career before,He did something that surprised everyone last night”, Palace star Mateta reveals the ONE Arsenal that really played to His satisfactory last night – Not Gabriel Jesus and Not Tierney
A Gabriel Jesus hat-trick fired Arsenal into the Carabao Cup semi-finals after the Gunners defeated Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta opted to rest and rotated ahead of Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park, with the bulk of Arsenal’s heavy hitters residing on the bench. Oliver Glasner, on the contrary, went close to full strength.
The Austrian’s side had something to protect from very early on after Arsenal – well, Jakub Kiwior – failed to deal with Dean Henderson’s punt upfield, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to steamroll in behind and coolly finish past David Raya to hand Palace a 1-0 lead.
The visitors were content with surrending the ball to their hosts and Henderson was barely worked in the opening 45 minutes. Leandro Trossard blazed a good chance over, while Raheem Sterling drew a good save from the Palace keeper from a free-kick. Once again, Arsenal struggled to work openings from open play.
The boss didn’t mess around at half-time and opted for a double change. One of those introduced, Martin Odegaard, inspired Arsenal’s equaliser as he fizzed a reverse pass into Gabriel Jesus, who spun Trevoh Chalobah and dinked an effort over Henderson to restore parity.
The goal arrived amid a period of sustained Gunners pressure, and the tie looked like it was heading in one direction. Arsenal had their tails up and one man in particular, Jesus, was intent on firing the hosts into the last four. The Brazilian was fed by another substitute, this time Bukayo Saka, for his second goal, with Jesus finishing with the sort of conviction that’s escaped him this calendar year.
The night got even better for him with ten minutes remaining as he broke away unattended and once again finished with aplomb to record his maiden Arsenal hat-trick which confirmed the Gunners’ place in the last four.
An Eddie Nketiah goal, and an excellent one at that, on his Emirates return made the last few minutes nervy, but Arsenal held on to advance.
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace player ratings
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya (GK) – 6/10 – After Mateta scored early, Palace rarely tested Raya. Had a couple of high claims to make.
Thomas Partey (RB) – 5/10 – Partey at right-back just isn’t working. Dynamics down the right, without Saka, were awful. The midfielder struggles to offer his usual quality in possession from this role.
Jurrien Timber (CB) – 6.5/10 – Didn’t look completely right as the right centre-back and offered much more quality in the second half after moving to right-back. Wanted to influence proceedings higher up the pitch and sought to overload Palace’s midfield when Arsenal were still chasing the game.
Jakub Kiwior (CB) – 4/10 – Awful defending for the early opener. Completely done by a long ball. Steadied somewhat thereafter, but we’re only going to remeber that sequence.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Who’s this guy?! KT’s back. On his first Arsenal start since August 2023, Tierney provided this concept called ‘width’ down his flank. He threatened on a couple of occassions with back post crosses and was cruelled robbed of an assist by Sterling. Couldn’t last the full 90.
Jorginho (DM) – 6.5/10 – The Italian was a threat in the first half with his passes from deep and aided Arsenal’s circulation amid periods of sustained pressure. Palace did have joy against him in transition.
Mikel Merino (CM) – 6/10 – The more I watch him, the less I’m convinced he’s actually Spanish. Still, he hustled and harried here without offering too much quality in possession. We need to see more from him in the left half-space.
Ethan Nwaneri (CM) – 5.5/10 – Welcome to senior football, young Nwaneri. The kid wasn’t given an inch by Palace’s industrious pair in the middle of the park, drifting wide in a bid to get on the ball. Withdrawn for the skipper at half-time.
Raheem Sterling (RW) – 6.5/10 – The double miss was egregious, but I want to say there were bright sparks. Drove at his man and benefitted from the connections established down the right-hand side in the second-half.
Gabriel Jesus (ST) – 9.5/10 – I have nothing to say. We are back (hopefully!).
Leandro Trossard (LW) – 6/10 – Execution was poor from good positions in the first haldf, but he had some joy operating from the half-space when Tierney advanced after the restart.
