Mikel Arteta has hailed Gabriel Jesus as being "back at his best" following the Brazilian's stunning second-half hat-trick that catapulted Arsenal into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Despite a shaky start with Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring early on at the Emirates, Jesus turned the game around with an electrifying 27-minute treble, sealing a 3-2 win for the Gunners.
With only two goals to his name this year before his treble and transfer speculation swirling, Arteta had pre-match declared Jesus will remain at Arsenal beyond January, a stance now vindicated by the player's match-winning performance. "I’m so pleased for him," Arteta beamed.
"It’s been a long period without goals and today, to score three goals, the three types of goals that he scored – and the many actions he was involved in – he looked very sharp.
"It’s a great thing for him and the team that we can rely on a player of such quality. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us. It is a big message for the team that we have Gabi back at his best. It’s now about consistency."
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Arteta believes this burst of form will boost Jesus' confidence and stressed the need for more game time to maintain momentum: "This moment of spark will bring so much confidence to him.
"Now we need to take it and give him more games and chances. When a player is in that moment, it’s important for them to continue."
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was key in Gabriel Jesus' goals after coming on at half-time, with Bukayo Saka, also a substitute, setting up the second.
Arteta confessed when probed about dependence on the duo: "They are two of our best players. But we rely on the team and we rely on a lot of individuals like every other team to perform, to change games."
Arteta, who has only clinched one trophy, the 2020 FA Cup, during his five-year stint with Arsenal, suggested that winning the Carabao Cup might kickstart a cascade of successes.
His side found themselves trailing early against Palace following Jakub Kiwior's error and Mateta's strike. Nevertheless, Jesus levelled the score with a deft finish early in the second half before securing the lead, ultimately claiming a hat-trick as Arsenal fought back emphatically.
Arteta hailed the response: "The game started in a way we didn’t want with a very simple goal and then the team had to react in a great way," praising their character and fervour to counter the setback."
Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted: "It was a perfect start, but we played with too much respect. I said before the game that we needed a performance at our top level to win, and it wasn’t a performance at our top level.
"It is positive that we scored two goals, but it is also frustrating because when you score two goals at the Emirates, it should at least go to a penalty shoot-out.
"Their second goal was offside. But there is no VAR, everybody knows this. We gave them too many chances. And then it was just a question of time as to when they would score."
