Arsenal player ratings vs Crystal Palace: No new striker needed?! Gabriel Jesus reborn with Christmas hat-trick as Gunners' big hitters save Jakub Kiwior's blushes in the Carabao Cup

Arsenal came back from 1-0 down to book their spot in the EFL Cup semi-finals thanks to the Brazilian's second-half hat-trick

Gabriel Jesus scored a superb second half hat-trick to hand Arsenal a much needed 3-2 win against Crystal Palace and send them into the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night.

The Brazilian, who had only scored one goal all season before the tie at the Emirates Stadium, produced three wonderful finishes to get Mikel Arteta's side back to winning ways after two costly draws in the Premier League.

The out-of-sorts hosts couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, though, as they fell behind inside four minutes when Jean-Philippe Mateta took advantage of an error from Jakub Kiwior before racing away and beating David Raya.

It was an awful opening for Arteta's much-changed side, and it took until the half-time introduction of Martin Odegaard for them to burst into life, with the Gunners captain producing a wonderful pass to set up Jesus for the equaliser.

Bukayo Saka, another substitute, then played in the Brazilian for his second, before Odegaard sent the striker clear to complete his hat-trick in emphatic style soon after.

Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah then came off the bench to score a fine late header to set up a nervy finale, but Arsenal held firm to book their spot in the semi-finals.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium...

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Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Was a bit static as Mateta went through and left a big gap at his far post. Could maybe have come out and closed the striker down more.
Thomas Partey (6/10):
Replaced at half-time so Timber could move to right-back. Should be in the midfield.
Jurrien Timber (7/10):
Moved over to right-back after playing in the centre for the first half and just looked so much better. Involved in the second goal.
Jakub Kiwior (4/10):
Horrible mistake to gift Mateta his early goal. Looked uncomfortable against the physical Palace striker.
Kieran Tierney (7/10):
A first competitive Arsenal start in 584 days. Got forward when he could and looked solid enough defensively. Produced one lovely cross to set up a chance for Sterling.

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Midfield
Jorginho (7/10):
Kept the ball moving as always. Tired in the second half, but kept possession well.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
A typical performance from what we've seen so far from Merino. Solid, but nothing spectacular. Would be nice to see him influencing the attack more given where he's playing. Improved in the second period.
Ethan Nwaneri (5/10):
Just couldn't get into the game in the first half. Worked hard and tracked back, but kept drifting out wide a lot rather than staying central.
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Attack
Raheem Sterling (6/10):
Lively enough display. Looked as likely as anyone to cause Palace a problem in the first half. Should have scored early in the second when he hit the bar from point-blank range.
Gabriel Jesus (10/10):
Superb hat-trick to turn things round in the second half. All three were excellent finishes which should do him the world of good. Arsenal's hero on the night. Just looked a completely different player after the first goal.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Put one good chance over in the first half. A player clearly struggling to find anything like his best form, although he did brighten up in the second half.

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Subs & Manager
Martin Odegaard (9/10):
Made a huge difference. Set up the equaliser for Jesus with a fine reverse pass and then repeated the trick for the third goal. Added much needed tempo and urgency into Arsenal's play. Superb.
William Saliba (7/10):
A substitution that looked essential as half-time approached. Arsenal needed his calmness at the back. Could maybe have done more to put Nketiah under pressure for his goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Replaced the tiring Tierney for the final 20 minutes.
Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Immediate impact to set up Jesus for his second goal. Quality.
Gabriel Magalhaes (N/A):
On for the final five minutes.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
The team selection looked like a risk and that's how it played out in the first half. Did make necessary early subs at half-time which made the difference.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Midfield

Attack

Subs & Manager