Hits and misses: Gabriel Jesus, Harvey Elliott and Sandro Tonali impress in Carabao Cup quarter-finals | football news

Does this mean Arsenal don’t need a new striker?

Your number 9 popping up with a hat-trick just in time for Christmas in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace is the perfect antidote when your attack is being questioned.

Arsenal’s recent lack of open play and their reliance on set pieces sparked the annual debate over whether a new striker is needed in January. So what about Gabriel Jesus staring into the groove, at least one half of football?

Arsenal and Jesus showed in that second half that their subject is not a ‘striker’. Many claimed the Gunners needed a striker last January and they finished with 91 Premier League goals, the most in their history in the competition.

What Arsenal have shown, which needs to be addressed, is that there is a confidence in Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. It’s a creativity issue more than a striker.

Mikel Arteta’s side barely looked like scoring until these two came on as separate substitutes and provided incisive assists for Jesus within minutes of arriving on the pitch.

So whether it’s improving the left-wing position or getting better back-ups for Saka and Odegaard – Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling failed to impress, but Ethan Nwaneri looked promising – that’s where he needs to focus – se Arsenal, if they move in January.
Sam Blitz

Palace will love Saturday’s return

Saturday December 21 at 5:00 p.m

Start at 17:30h

Crystal Palace were cup ready, certainly for 54 minutes anyway. Until Jesus equalised, Oliver Glasner would have been beaming at how aggressively and diligently organized his team was.

That proved with his first goal after just four minutes when Jean-Phillipe Mateta chewed up and spat out Jakub Kiwior as he battled for a 50-50 ball from Dean Henderson before the striker kept his cool in front of goal. Mateta’s deadly end should not surprise us now.

It’s now 25 goals in his last 35 caps for club and country – any striker but Erling Haaland at the highest level would break your arm for such a return. Palace could not sustain their bravery out of possession as Arsenal eventually broke through. However, back at Selhurst Park on Saturday against the same opponents, live on Sky Sportsthis Palace team certainly has the game plan and the aggression to make life difficult for the Gunners again. However, they will have to do it for 90 minutes this time.
Lewis Jones

Elliott shines in Liverpool win

In his first start since May, Harvey Elliott shone in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton.

The midfielder scored what turned out to be the winning goal with a clinical low finish in the first half.

Even at 21, Elliott was one of the most experienced players in a youth team and led by example in midfield.

The Englishman made more passes in the final third (21) of the game as he put in a man-of-the-match performance.

“It’s been outstanding,” he said Sky Sports’ Don Goodman. “Not just the goal, his all-round work ethic on and off the ball. An outstanding game.”

Elliott will now hope his performance earns him a starting place in the Premier League to become a regular under Arne Slot.
Declan Olley

Defense First: A Sign of Things to Come for the Struggling Saints?

The plan was clear to all from the outset as Liverpool arrived at St Mary’s for the second time in a month: stay compact, with rigid benches of five and four, frustrate Liverpool, hit them on the counter when The openings came up and wait. for the best

Under Russell Martin, Southampton liked to dominate the ball. But with little success – and ultimately his sacking just days ago – his interim replacement Simon Rusk knew that wouldn’t wash, especially against arguably one of the best teams in the world right now.

For 20 minutes Liverpool attacked and attacked but were kept at bay. When the permits were extended, the fans reacted with cheers. Later, there were brave blocks that kept the bottom line respectable.

Saints fans had seen their side leak goals like nobody else recently – 11 in their last three Premier League games, in fact – and to see the defensive fragility disappear, even just a little, was very welcome.

Is it a sign of things to come? It’s hard to say for sure until Martin’s permanent replacement is named. Should they play similarly in the Premier League, they could have just the beginnings of a survival bid.
Dan Long

The awesome Tonali does it for Toon

If Sandro Tonali is unhappy at Newcastle, he certainly doesn’t look it.

The Italian midfielder appears to be living up to expectations and price tag at St James’s Park, with his brilliance proving the difference in the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Brentford.

The first goal was exceptional, the cleanest of the shots that demonstrated the technique at his disposal. His reaction and celebration shows the bond he has forged with the Toon support, who backed him vociferously during his ban last season.

The second, the product of a well-worked routine from a corner, showed his intelligence and spatial awareness. Away from the goals, he and Bruno Guimaraes dominated in the middle of the park. It seems as if a special partnership is forming between the two.

If not his best all-round display in a Newcastle shirt, this was certainly his most impactful. His quality guided the party in his direction. If he can become the man to lead the club to that long-awaited trophy, he will never be forgotten in the city.
Simeon Gholam

The schedule catches up with Brentford

“It’s about getting the balance right in a tight week where we want to perform at our best in all three games.” This was Thomas Frank’s previous explanation for making so many changes to the team that played against Chelsea on Sunday. Did you get it right?

Brentford are back in action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, so the frustration is understandable. “I’ve talked a lot about the fact that I don’t think we have the optimal schedule, but it is what it is. I have full confidence that this team can compete,” he said.

Frank added, “And by the way, a game is over 90 minutes, not 60.” The problem was that by the time the Brentford manager turned to substitutes Bryan Mbeumo and Mikkel Damsgaard, Tonali had already put Newcastle two goals ahead.

Damsgaard was a real spark in the last half hour of the game, releasing Mbeumo to set up Yoane Wissa for Brentford’s consolation goal. Mbeumo’s beautiful pass had opened up the defense to create a chance for Wissa moments earlier.

Would it have made a difference if Frank had felt able to start the trio? The Bees boss would point to the example of Ethan Pinnock, who he asked to start again only to go ahead with a hamstring problem. Something had to give. They were Brentford’s cup hopes.
Adam Bate