London – Gabriel Jesus could be back in Arsenal’s starting XI for Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarterfinal against Crystal Palace, a little less than a year after the same competition helped spark a turnaround in his performance. On December 18, 2024, Jesus netted a hat trick against Palace, a feat that briefly revitalized his role before a knee injury sidelined him for 332 days.
A Second Chance at the Emirates
Is Gabriel Jesus ready to reclaim his spot as Arsenal’s leading striker? The Brazilian has made three appearances off the bench since returning from injury, including a 3-0 win over Club Brugge, and manager Mikel Arteta believes he’s earned another start. “You can see now, not only in games, every day in training, how much he wants it,” Arteta said. “He’s going to deserve a chance soon.”
- Jesus’s previous appearance against Palace ignited a scoring run.
- A lengthy knee injury kept him off the pitch for nearly a year.
- Arteta is impressed with Jesus’s renewed determination.
- Arsenal currently needs Jesus’s contributions with other players recovering from injuries.
The situation is markedly different than a year ago. Last season, Jesus arguably needed Arsenal more than they needed him, having lost his starting position to Kai Havertz and struggling to regain form. Before his hat trick, he was averaging career lows in shots and expected goals per 90 Premier League minutes. That goal against Palace, and the two that followed in a subsequent match against the same opponent, plus another in a 3-1 win over Brentford, hinted at a return to the form that initially “changed [Arsenal’s] world” upon his arrival from Manchester City in 2022.
However, just as momentum built, a rupture to his anterior cruciate ligament during an FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United brought his progress to a halt. It was the fifth knee issue of his time with the club. “It’s been a really intense journey,” Arteta admitted. “When he joined us, he lifted the belief, the spirit and the energy of the club and the team. He gave something very different to what we already had, and it was really impressive.”
Now, the roles have shifted. Arsenal needs Jesus. While Havertz is recovering from a November knee injury – with a potential return earmarked for the new year – and Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty against Everton couldn’t mask a generally lackluster performance, Jesus offers a dynamic threat. Arteta has consistently favored a number nine who drops deep and combines with other forwards, a style that aligns with Jesus’s strengths.
“That’s probably the biggest quality of Gabi, bringing people together, connecting with people and generating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent,” Arteta explained. “When you see him [against Everton], the amount of spaces that he was involved in, that’s his biggest quality. So we need to exploit that.”
Though he’s played just over an hour this season, Jesus has already shown promising signs. He hit the crossbar against Club Brugge, and his pressure on Yerson Mosquera contributed to an own goal in the win over Wolves. He appears to be regaining the form that made him a key player for Arsenal. If he can stay fit – a significant challenge for an injury-plagued team – he could have a major impact on Arsenal’s pursuit of major trophies. As Jesus himself stated, he has “unfinished business” in North London.
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Viewing Information
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 23 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Arsenal -182; Draw +290; Crystal Palace +450
