Arteta Commends Arsenal’s Character and Jesus’s Hat-trick Following Crystal Palace Victory

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction following the team’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace, which secured their place in the semi-final. He stated, “Really happy. We’re in the semi-final.” Arteta noted that the match began unfavorably with a “very simple goal,” but the squad responded “in a great way.” He commended their display of “a lot of character and so much desire to turn things around,” despite acknowledging a lack of “threat” in the first half, where they created “two or three big chances” but failed to score. Arteta explained that “With a few adjustments in the second half,” the team regained control of the game and appeared more dangerous. Regarding Gabriel Jesus’s hat-trick, Arteta conveyed his immense pleasure, remarking, “I’m so pleased for him.” He highlighted that Jesus had endured “a long period for him without goals” and praised his three goals, noting “the three types of goals that he scored” and his involvement in “many actions,” describing him as “very sharp.” Arteta emphasized that it is “a great thing for him and the team that we can rely on a player of such quality,” extending this sentiment to Kieran Tierney and other players who had limited starting opportunities but performed well. Discussing Jesus’s potential going forward, Arteta stressed the importance of “consistency.” He described the hat-trick as “a moment of spark that will bring so much confidence, not only to him, but to the team as well that we can rely on him to change games.” Arteta affirmed the need to “take it and give him more games and chances,” asserting, “We need to give him more chances because when a player is in that moment it’s important to continue that.” On the subject of making team changes, Arteta believed they were “appropriate and good for the team.” He acknowledged that the success of such decisions is ultimately judged “in relation to the result basically.” Arteta felt that the players, particularly those who had not featured frequently, “deserved to feel important.” He added that their “attitude and their behaviours, the way they train, the way they play when they have chances” should make them “feel that it’s worth it,” concluding, “I’m really happy with that.”