Mikel Arteta revealed that Gabriel Jesus is ready to start for Arsenal in their EFL Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Jesus made his long-awaited return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Arsenal’s Champions League win over Club Brugge earlier in December, while also featuring off the bench against Wolves and Everton in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won seven of their last eight meetings with Palace in all competitions (D1), already beating the Eagles 1-0 in the Premier League this term.
And the two sides also met in this stage of the EFL Cup last term, when Jesus scored a hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium to help the Gunners to a 3-2 win.
Jesus could be set for his first start in over a year, and Arteta believes he can offer a lot to the team.
When asked if Jesus was ready to start, Arteta replied: “Yes, he is. And you can tell that, you can see now, not only in games, every day in training, how much he wants it. So he's going to deserve a chance soon.
“I think that's probably the biggest quality of Gabi, bringing people together, connecting with people, generating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent.
“It's been a really intense journey, 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. And then he had some very bad injuries that hasn't allowed him to have the consistency that we need from a very important player.
“But he's back, he's fighting his spirit, he's decided to always prepare the best way. He's unbelievable and the team has got it now and we need to use it.”
Palace eliminated Arsenal in the 1970-71 EFL Cup, but have since lost all three of their meetings with the Gunners in the competition (both legs of the 1992-93 semi-final and last season’s quarter-final).
A former Arsenal striker in Eddie Nketiah could make the difference for the Eagles. Since his EFL Cup debut in October 2017, no player has scored more goals in the competition than the Palace forward (13).
Palace conceded four goals from set pieces in their defeat to Leeds United on the weekend, and Eagles boss Oliver Glasner believes they could play another significant role against Arsenal.
“I think the game will be different to [Leeds]. Again, we will have a few set-pieces. I know that we can do it better, and it's also not always talking about big problems,” said Glasner.
“We have to do it better. We have to give the players solutions. That's the job of myself and my staff.
“And then we’ll give them the confidence that they can defend it and also score goals. We won against Brentford with two set-piece goals, and defended there very well. They’re a team that's really good in set-pieces.
“It's always a good challenge, and if we take this challenge, we can grow and learn from it. This will be our approach.”
Gun1
1
Arsenal should try to win Carabao Cup first before dreaming of winning Epl or Ucl
sizbcemst
2
emondorock
1
Arsenal need to start scoring more goals
resabekpst
1
honestly i wouldn’t mind to lose the game tomorrow. 🙈😱 two legged semis against city/chelsea/newcastle ahead is just exhausting and i would want this saved energy invested into the league and ucl. (i don’t like the carabao/league cup - fa cup is pure love and no sacrifices!)
He should rest 6-7 players and he can still field a team capable of succeeding tomorrow. Then hopefully we will have a few more players back from injury for the semifinals. He had the opportunity to rest earlier in the season but he overplayed players, resulting in this situation. We have players who need minutes. But like you i can’t stand the Carabao cup. We have too many competitors. The league and champions league are the priority ones for us surely.
GunnArs
0
honestly i wouldn’t mind to lose the game tomorrow. 🙈😱 two legged semis against city/chelsea/newcastle ahead is just exhausting and i would want this saved energy invested into the league and ucl. (i don’t like the carabao/league cup - fa cup is pure love and no sacrifices!)
Charlesugwu
2
I think Jesus could play well with Eze in the same team
bwalyaalfred024
1
True he had a chance to rotate before when he had a big squad. He chose to overplay his line up. Now we are paying the price for his lack of rotation. Also he has his favourites being Odegaard, and Havertz. Eze has been treated totally wrong as has Madueke. Saka is an outstanding player who performs far better when fresh. Luckily Hincapie has been excellent or we would be in a mess. He has got to learn to rotate.!!£
against the Everton game we needed Eze and Madueke needs more game time
resabekpst
1
true talk. if Arteta cudda stuck to such Arsenal wouldn't have bottled cos all squad players wudda been in form buh he's a knucklehead
True he had a chance to rotate before when he had a big squad. He chose to overplay his line up. Now we are paying the price for his lack of rotation. Also he has his favourites being Odegaard, and Havertz. Eze has been treated totally wrong as has Madueke. Saka is an outstanding player who performs far better when fresh. Luckily Hincapie has been excellent or we would be in a mess. He has got to learn to rotate.!!£
sewdelpst
1
my favorite player good luck
bwalyaalfred024
1
I am sure there will be rotation , but we need to have a good balance. Kepa, Norgaard M.L.S., Madueke, Martinelli and i think Jesus will not start. Certain players need a rest. Hincapie has played really well 6-7 continuous play Calafiori central with Skelly at L:B. Norgaard for Zubimendi. Madueke for Saka. Nwaneri also needs to get some minutes also.
true talk. if Arteta cudda stuck to such Arsenal wouldn't have bottled cos all squad players wudda been in form buh he's a knucklehead
resabekpst
2
such a weak squad against your local rivals your 1nil wins won't suffice this time around.
I am sure there will be rotation , but we need to have a good balance. Kepa, Norgaard M.L.S., Madueke, Martinelli and i think Jesus will not start. Certain players need a rest. Hincapie has played really well 6-7 continuous play Calafiori central with Skelly at L:B. Norgaard for Zubimendi. Madueke for Saka. Nwaneri also needs to get some minutes also.
bwalyaalfred024
1
Would like to see this lineup against CP on Tuesday: Kepa, Salmon, MLS, Noogard, Hincapie, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli. Rice to provide stability.
such a weak squad against your local rivals your 1nil wins won't suffice this time around.
bwalyaalfred024
1
then don't expect goals...
tiddeinsz
1
Would like to see this lineup against CP on Tuesday: Kepa, Salmon, MLS, Noogard, Hincapie, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli. Rice to provide stability.
What about Eze surely he will play against his former club.
tiddeinsz
0
THANK GOD THAT HE IS BACK. STARTING DOESN'T MATTER.
True!!! I hope he stays fit for he is an outstanding technically gifted player,also he’s versatile.
Rmulbah1992
0
I still believe that he will start on the bench Eze will i believe play behind Gyrokales, his game will get more out of him Odergaard has no goals and no assists. Eze is more offensive. He needs to play.
THANK GOD THAT HE IS BACK. STARTING DOESN'T MATTER.
tiddeinsz
1
WELCOME BACK TO THE PATCH,ANGEL GABRIEL.
I still believe that he will start on the bench Eze will i believe play behind Gyrokales, his game will get more out of him Odergaard has no goals and no assists. Eze is more offensive. He needs to play.
Reteiknptu
1
Would like to see this lineup against CP on Tuesday: Kepa, Salmon, MLS, Noogard, Hincapie, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli. Rice to provide stability.
Rmulbah1992
2
WELCOME BACK TO THE PATCH,ANGEL GABRIEL.