However, replays suggested that Jesus may have been offside for his second goal.
Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on a mistake by Jakub Kiwior to score early, giving Palace a one-goal lead at halftime in north London. ..Continue Reading
The Gunners, having made eight changes from the side that drew with Everton, fought back in the second half. Martin Odegaard came off the bench to assist Jesus’ equalizer in the 54th minute.
Prior to this match, Jesus’ only other goal this season had come in Arsenal’s win over Preston in the previous round, showing his fondness for the competition, which he won three times with Manchester City.
Twenty minutes after his first goal, Jesus scored again to put Arsenal ahead for the first time in the match, although he appeared to be in an offside position when receiving Bukayo Saka’s precise pass.
Without VAR in the Carabao Cup, such decisions remain unchecked, though video assistant referees will be used in the semi-finals and the final at Wembley on March 16.
It was also confirmed that VAR will be in place for every FA Cup fifth-round tie through to the final next May at Wembley.
With nine minutes left, Jesus completed his hat-trick, racing through a high Palace defense and scoring with a powerful finish into the far corner, assisted once again by Odegaard.
Despite a late goal by Palace substitute Eddie Nkeitah, Arsenal held on to secure their spot in 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 the other quarter-final matches tonight, Newcastle triumphed over Brentford with a 3-1 win at St James’ Park, and defending champions Liverpool progressed by defeating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s.
The draw for the semi-finals will be conducted after Tottenham’s quarter-final match against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Carabao Cup semi-final matches will be held over two legs during the week beginning January 6 and the week beginning February 3, with spots in the final at stake.
