Arteta says Jesus is back to his best after League Cup hat-trick

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring against Palace. [AFP] Mikel Arteta claimed Gabriel Jesus was "back at his best" after the Brazilian fired Arsenal into the League Cup semi-finals with a hat-trick in the 3-2 win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Arteta's side suffered an early shock in the quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium when Jean-Philippe Mateta put Palace ahead. But Jesus ensured the Gunners remain in contention to win the League Cup for the first time since 1993 as the forward delivered a clinical 27-minute treble in the second half. Jesus started the game with only two goals in 2024 and just one in 20 previous appearances this season, sparking suggestions he could be sold when the transfer window opens on January 1. "I wear the number nine for Arsenal so I have to be scoring goals, Kai Havertz as well. We are the strikers of the team and have a pressure to score," Jesus admitted after his hat-trick. "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." Arteta had publicly backed Jesus and the former Manchester City forward repaid his manager's faith with a predatory performance that could breathe new life into his own career, and Arsenal's spluttering campaign as well. "I'm so pleased for him. 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," Arteta said. "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. "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." On Wednesday Liverpool moved into the League Cup semi-finals as the holders won 2-1 against managerless Southampton. Rare goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott at St Mary's sent the 10-time League Cup winners into the last four for a record 20th time. Held to a surprise 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, Liverpool got back on track with a 20th win from 24 games in all competitions under Arne Slot, who has lost just once since arriving from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp. Slot, who watched the quarter-final from the stands while he served a touchline suspension, opted to rest Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League leaders made eight changes. Liverpool's understudies were too strong for Southampton and Nunez ended his poor recent form with a clinical finish after Jan Bednarek made a hash of clearing Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass in the 24th minute. It was only Nunez's fourth goal in all competitions in a difficult season for the Uruguay striker, who had gone six games without scoring. Elliott doubled Liverpool's lead in the 32nd minute, drilling low past Alex McCarthy from 12 yards for his first goal this season. Cameron Archer reduced the deficit in the 59th minute with a superb curling strike from just inside the area. Southampton were furious when a late Jarell Quansah challenge on Mateus Fernandes didn't result in a penalty. But there was no escaping yet another defeat for Southampton in caretaker boss Simon Rusk's first game after Russell Martin was sacked following Sunday's 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham. "It was a very good and important win. We saw a lot of players that maybe don't start," Slot said. "We handled it really well and only conceded one or two chances. We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season."

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