Mikel Arteta has delivered a strong vote of confidence in Gabriel Jesus ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace later today.
Jesus has gradually worked his way back into form after a difficult spell disrupted by injuries, impressing from the bench in recent Premier League wins over Wolves and Everton. With a quick turnaround before tonight’s cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta believes the forward’s attitude, sharpness and hunger could prove vital once again.
The fixture also brings back fond memories for the striker, who scored a hat-trick against Crystal Palace at the same stage of the competition last season. Softfootball understands that amid speculation about his future, Jesus remains fully focused on Arsenal and is committed to fighting for his place in the squad.
Speaking to club media in comments shared via the club’s official X handle, the Arsenal boss suggested the Brazilian forward is ready to make a decisive impact if called upon. Arteta said:
Yes, he is. You can see now, not only in games but every day in training, how much he wants it. He’s going to deserve a chance soon.
I watched him when he was seven months [off] the pitch, and the way he was moving and how much he wanted it. I think he wrote a beautiful letter [on The Players’ Tribune] explaining what football means to him and how it affects his life. It was something beautiful.
I think that’s probably the biggest quality of Gabi: bringing people together, connecting with people and generating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent. When you’ve seen [against Everton] the amount of spaces that he was involved in, that’s his biggest quality – so we need to exploit that.
It’s been a really intense journey, I would say. I think when he joined us, he lifted the belief, the spirit and the energy of the club and the team. I think he gave something very different to what we already had and it was really impressive. And then he had some very bad injuries that haven’t allowed him to have the consistency that we need from a very important player.
But he’s back. I think his fighting spirit, his desire to always prepare the best way… it’s unbelievable. The team has got it now and we need to use it.
With Arsenal pushing on across multiple fronts this season, the Carabao Cup represents another clear opportunity to turn momentum into silverware. Against a familiar opponent and at a stage of the competition where fine margins often decide progress, Arteta’s confidence in Gabriel Jesus could prove crucial.
If called upon, the Brazilian’s energy, movement and ability to unsettle defences may yet be the spark Arsenal need to edge past Crystal Palace and keep their cup ambitions firmly alive, while reinforcing the growing belief within the squad that they are equipped to compete and win in every competition they are involved in.
