After watching Gabriel Jesus score a Carabao Cup hat-trick against Crystal Palace in midweek, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the striker had rediscovered his best form.
Unfortunately for Palace, they hadn’t seen the last of the Brazilian frontman this week.
At Selhurst Park on Saturday, Jesus picked up where he left off at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, scoring two first-half goals – his first in the Premier League this season – in a thumping 5-1 victory over Oliver Glasner’s team.
He opened the scoring after just six minutes, firing past goalkeeper Dean Henderson after Bukayo Saka’s cross was deflected into his path.
Ismaila Sarr levelled for Palace but Jesus restored the Gunners’ advantage with a perfectly placed effort into the top corner.
The striker had opportunities to complete his second hat-trick in the space of four days but five goals in two games is a more than satisfactory return for a player who had only managed five in his previous 45 outings for Arteta’s team.
“It is great to be back in the team, playing more,” Jesus said after Saturday’s victory. “Arsenal is a massive club and I know the pressure as a number nine here. When I play with a smile on my face, everything is different.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer said on BBC Match of the Day: “He’s been having such a tough time in front of goal. Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit. He got the goals in midweek and you can see the belief he would have had in training.
“He had to start him today. It was a wonderful performance. It’s no surprise he’s back in the goals. He’s got a spring back in his step.”
After recent questions about whether Arsenal need to sign a more natural goalscorer, could Jesus be the focal point the Gunners are looking for?
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