It seems fitting that Gabriel Jesus should have chosen this time of year to end his goalscoring drought. A brilliant hat-trick from the Brazil striker sealed a stirring second-half comeback for Arsenal to book their place in the semi-finals after Jean-Philippe Mateta had fired Crystal Palace into an early lead.
Oliver Glasner’s well-drilled side looked capable of springing a surprise until Mikel Arteta’s half-time substitutions changed the course of this tie, although it was Jesus – who had only found the net once in his past 34 appearances – who came to his manager’s rescue in the end despite a scare when Eddie Nketiah pulled one back late on.
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