Mikel Arteta pledged to play “unique” Gabriel Jesus more often, after the Brazilian netted a hat-trick to help Arsenal into the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 3-2 home win against Crystal Palace.
Jesus scored three times in the second half as the Gunners came from behind to win at the Emirates.
It was a significant night for the 27-year-old, who came into the game having scored just once in his previous 33 matches. Jesus has started just two of Arsenal’s 16 Premier League games this season.
But his treble moved Arsenal into the last-four of the Carabao Cup and left his manager purring about his display.
“I’m so pleased for him,” said Arteta. “It’s obviously been a long period for him without goals. Today, to score the three goals — the three types of goals — was a great thing for him. A player of such quality.
“He brings something. He has a way of generating situations that is quite unique. Gabi is a big asset for us.
“It’s now about consistency. Now we need to give him more games, because when a player is in that moment it’s important.”
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Arteta said: “I’m really happy. We’re into the semi-final. The game started in a way that we certainly didn’t want it to, with a really simple goal. The team needed to react, and I think it did in a really great way, showed a lot of character to turn things around.
“With a few adjustments in the second half, we got a grip of the game again and looked a threat.”
Arsenal made eight changes from the side which started the weekend's 0-0 draw with Everton, and Arteta defended that decision.
“I thought it was appropriate and good for the team to make those changes,” he said. “You are right or wrong in relation to the result basically.”
