scored a terrific hat-trick as came from behind to beat to a place in the semi-finals – but replays appeared to show the forward in an offside position for his second goal in the 3-2 win.
Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalised on a poor error from Jakub Kiwior to open the scoring after only four minutes and the visitors held firm to go into the half-time break with a one-goal advantage in north London.
But the Gunners, who , rallied in the second period, with Martin Odegaard coming off the bench to set up Jesus’ dinked 54th-minute equaliser.
Jesus’ only other goal this season, prior to tonight’s clash, came in Arsenal’s victory over Preston in the previous round and it’s clear the Brazilian enjoys playing in the competition – he won it three times with Manchester City after all.
Twenty minutes on from his opening strike, the 27-year-old grabbed his second to put Arsenal in front for the first time in the contest, though it appears he may have been in an offside position while latching onto a pinpoint ball from Bukayo Saka.
However, referees in the Carabao Cup have not been able to call upon VAR, given not all teams have had access to the technology. There will, though, be a video assistant referee in place for the semi-finals in the new year, as well as the final held at Wembley on March 16.
It was confirmed this week that VAR will be used for every FA Cup fifth-round tie, right through to the final of the competition, also staged at Wembley, next May.
With nine minutes remaining of normal time, Jesus raced through on goal to complete his hat-trick, with Palace’s defence pushing up high in pursuit of an equaliser.
Odegaard was once again the provider as Jesus beat Dean Henderson with a vicious finish into the far corner to take the roof off the Emirates.
Palace substitute Eddie Nkeitah reduced the deficit with a fine header on his former stomping ground – but the hosts preserved their lead to secure progression into the final four of the competition.
On Jesus’ hat-trick heroics, Arsenal head coach Arteta said: ‘He looked really sharp.
‘It is a great thing for him and a great thing for the team.
‘He has a quality, a way of creating and generating situations that is quite unique. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us.’
In tonight’s other quarter-finals, Newcastle saw off Brentford with a 3-1 victory at St James’ Park, while defending champions Liverpool advanced through with a 2-1 defeat of Southampton at St Mary’s.
will take place after Spurs’ quarter-final clash with Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Carabao Cup semi-final ties will play out over two legs across the week commencing January 6 and the week commencing February 3 for a spot in the final.
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