Arsenal fans are in disbelief after Gabriel Jesus hat-trick vs Crystal Palace, Arteta transfer call justified

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After struggling in front of goal for so long, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus returned to form in style on Wednesday evening.

Gabriel Jesus was included in the Arsenal starting XI for Wednesday night’s EFL Cup quarter final clash with Crystal Palace, as Mikel Arteta rotated his side. 

Prior to this fixture, the Brazilian striker had scored just once for the Gunners since January, across all competitions. Amid calls for Arsenal to give up on Jesus, the former Manchester City man needed a big performance. 

Following a difficult first half, the 27-year-old exploded into life after the break, netting a hat-trick of ruthless, clinical finishes to fire the North London club to a 3-2 victory.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus from his height to girlfriend

Arsenal fans celebrate Gabriel Jesus hat-trick vs Crystal Palace

Many Arsenal fans on X were stunned by the sudden turnaround in Jesus’ fortunes, as he showed the Emirates Stadium faithful what he can do when he is full of confidence. 

One said: “I could cry, man. We really needed this version of Gabriel Jesus. If he can be anything like he was in 2022, we’ve always got a chance.”

Another stated: “Never in doubt, when you’ve got a striker as clinical as Gabriel Jesus.”

One claimed: “Gabriel Jesus finishing like R9? Confidence is a funny thing.”

Another Arsenal fan added: “It is fitting that Jesus is being reborn in front of our eyes at this time of the year.”

One chipped in with: “Jesus has to start on Saturday. You can’t bench a player who scored 3 goals 3 days ago.”

Another wrote: “Love to see Jesus playing well man. Been quality today.”

What Mikel Arteta must do with Jesus after EFL Cup triumph

Arteta recently insisted that Jesus has a future at Arsenal, as he was questioned about transfer rumours circulating around the striker.

The manager’s defiant answer to that transfer question, and his enduring faith in the forward, has now been justified.

Jesus must now kick on from here, though. This hat-trick performance cannot be a flash in the pan. He has been given the confidence boost he needed and now needs to show that he can deliver on a consistent basis. 

Arteta must also give him every chance to manage that, by keeping him in the starting XI for this weekend’s Premier League showdown against Crystal Palace.