Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick fires Arsenal to Carabao Cup semi-finals

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Gabriel Jesus’ Carabao Cup hat-trick will provide the “spark” needed to reignite his Premier League goalscoring form.

The Brazilian striker netted three second-half goals against Crystal Palace, helping Arsenal come from behind to secure a place in the semi-finals.

These goals were his first at the Emirates Stadium in a year and marked just his second appearance on the scoresheet this season, following a goal against Preston in the EFL Cup at the end of October.

Jesus has not scored in the Premier League since January 30, and Arteta believes that the treble will give him the confidence to start finding the back of the net again, boosting Arsenal’s push for the title.

“It’s now about consistency,” said Arteta.

“It’s a moment of spark that will bring so much to the team, that we can rely on him to change games. We need to give him more chances.”

Jesus said after the game that he had been working hard in training to improve his finishing, but knows he must now keep up his scoring form.

“I wear the number nine for Arsenal so I have to be scoring goals,” he told BBC Radio 5 live. “Kai [Havertz] as well, we are the strikers of the team and have a pressure to score.

“If you want to challenge for a place we have to keep scoring. It is not easy, if it was then there would be many strikers in the world, but we keep trying.

“I came here to win the Premier League and my first two seasons we were there but for some details. This third season I want to win.”