Jesus returns for the 100th Arsenal appearance: Palace to pay the price in the League Cup

Arsenal are eager to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals for the second season in a row when they face Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening at the Emirates. The Gunners are facing a depleted Oliver Glasner's side ravaged by injuries due to their staggering fixture schedule.

This will be the Eagles' third match in six days, coming after their Saturday's horrific 4-1 defeat at Leeds United.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta's men are bidding to set up a two-legged affair with Chelsea as a reward, and as another step towards the desperately-needed silverware.

The Spaniard will make around seven changes to his starting XI that defeated Everton a few nights ago, as Gabriel Jesus is expected to make a start in his 100th match for the club, after coming on from the bench in the last three games.

Call Jesus for salvation and then enjoy it thoroughly!

Asked if he'd been surprised at how sharp he's looked, considering how long he's been out, Arteta said:

"No, because I was watching when he was seven months already on the pitch and the way he was moving and how much he wanted it," explained Arteta, and then added: "I think he wrote a beautiful letter there explaining what football means to him and how it affects his life. I think it was something beautiful."

The Arsenal boss concluded that it has been a really intense journey for the Brazilian forward following his arrival from Manchester City.

"I think when he joined us, I think he lifted the belief, the spirit and the energy of the club and the team. I think he gave something very different to what we already had, and it was really impressive.

EFL Cup: Sweet Jesus, that boy singlehandedly saved Arsenal

"And then he had some very bad injuries that haven't allowed him to have the consistency that we need from a very important player. But he's back. I think his fighting his spirit; he's decided to always prepare the best way. He's unbelievable and the team has got it now and we need to use it.

It's not the same with and without Jesus...

"I think that's probably the biggest quality of Gabi, bringing people together, connecting with people and generating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent. When you see him today, the number of spaces that he was involved in is his biggest quality. So we need to exploit that," concluded Arteta.

EFL CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Cardiff - Chelsea 1-3 (0-0)

/Turnbull 75 - Garnacho 57, 90+3 Neto 82/

Manchester City - Brentford 2-0 (1-0)

/Cherki 32, Savinho 67/

Newcastle - Fulham 2-1 (1-1)

/Wissa 10, Miley 90+2 - Lukic 16/

Tuesday (23.12)

23.00: (1.53) Arsenal (4.10) Crystal Palace (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***