Gabriel Jesus Set for First Start in a Year Against Crystal Palace, One Year After Carabao Cup Hat-Trick

One year after scoring a stunning second-half hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3–2 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in a Carabao Cup quarter-final, Gabriel Jesus looks set to make his first start in the competition in just over a year as the Gunners once again host the Eagles, coincidentally also in the quarter-finals.

Jesus, who has battled back from an 11-month lay-off with a serious knee injury, has been gradually reintroduced with substitute appearances against Wolves and Everton in the Premier League and Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Now, Mikel Arteta believes the Brazilian is ready to return to the starting XI. ‘Yes, he is. You can see now, not only in games, every day in training, how much he wants it. He’s going to deserve a chance soon,’ the Arsenal manager said in his pre-match presser.

Arteta praised the sharpness of the 28-year-old since his comeback, recalling how determined Jesus was even during his rehabilitation.

‘No, because I was watching when he was seven months already on the pitch and the way he was moving and how much he wanted it. I think he wrote a beautiful letter there explaining what football means to him and how it affects his life. I think it was something beautiful.’

Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, Jesus has scored 26 goals in 99 appearances.

His time in north London has been disrupted by injuries, but Arteta insists his fighting spirit has been ‘unbelievable.’

‘Well it’s been a really intense journey I would say. When he joined us, he lifted the belief, the spirit and the energy of the club and the team. He gave something very different to what we already had, and it was really impressive,’ Arteta added.