“He looked really sharp” - Mikel Arteta believes he can now ‘rely’ on Arsenal star after performance in Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Gabriel Jesus following the latter's hat-trick against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, December 18, in the EFL Cup quarterfinal. The Gunners went behind in the game in the fourth minute, when Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the Eagles the lead at the Emirates.

However, Arsenal rallied through Jesus, who scored thrice in the second half to secure a 3-2 win. The Brazilian had previously scored just once this season, against Preston in the EFL Cup.

Speaking after the win, Mikel Arteta insisted that he can now rely on the 27-year-old.

"I'm so pleased for him. Obviously it's been a long period for him without goals, and today to score three goals, the three types of goals he scored as well and the many actions he was involved in — he looked really sharp," said Arteta.

He continued:

"I think it's a great thing for him, it's a great thing for the team as well that we can rely on a player with such quality. Gabby at that level is a big asset for us."

Jesus is yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this season. He has 13 appearances in the league this campaign, but only two of them have been starts.

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Will Arsenal sign a new striker in 2025?

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus has blown hot and cold since arriving at Arsenal from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. The Gunners reportedly paid £45m for the player, but he has registered just 23 goals from 90 games for Mikel Arteta's team so far.

The north London side were a whisker away from winning the Premier League title last season, but were pipped to the trophy by Manchester City on the final day of the campaign. They refrained from signing a new No. 9 over the summer, but are now third in the league, six points behind leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand.

While scoring goals hasn't been a problem for Arsenal - they have 29 goals in 16 games in the league - it is clear that a proven striker could further elevate the team. The Gunners apparently had their eyes on Benjamin Sesko this summer, but a move failed to materialize.

The north London side could return for the RB Leipzig striker in 2025. However, recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are planning to offer Jesus in a straight swap deal for Juventus hitman Dusan Vlahovic.