Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must give Gabriel Jesus “more chances” after his hat-trick booked the Gunners’ place in the EFL Cup semi-finals.
The Brazil forward scored three times in the second half as Arteta’s side came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Jesus – making just his eighth start in 21 appearances in all competitions this term – quadrupled his goal tally for the campaign, while finding the net at home for the first time in a year.
And Arteta will hope the 27-year-old rediscovers his goalscoring touch in the Premier League next, having not bagged a top-flight goal since January 30.
“It’s now about consistency,” said the Spaniard. “This is a spark moment that will bring the team so much that we can count on him to change the game. We need to give him more opportunities.
“It’s good that our players are knocking on the door.”
Jesus says he has spent the extra hours on the training pitch to improve his finishing and hopes to stay on target and boost Arsenal’s Premier League title bid.
“I wear number nine for Arsenal, so I have to score goals,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Kai [Havertz] Also we have team strikers and pressure to score goals.
“If you want to challenge for a place, we have to score goals. It’s not easy. If that were the case there would be many strikers in the world, but we keep trying.
“I came here to win the Premier League and we were there in my first two seasons, but for some details. This is the third season I want to win.”
Thanks for the energy, Gooners
See you in South London on Saturdaypic.twitter.com/mwbKxkrTjN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2024
