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 who popped 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 in question.

Arsenal's recent laxity in open play and their reliance on set-pieces has led to the now-annual debate over whether a new striker is needed in January. So what about Gabriel Jesus looking at his beard, at least for one half of football?

Arsenal and Jesus proved in that second half that their problem is not 'attacking'. Many argued that the Gunners needed a striker last January and they ended up scoring 91 Premier League goals – the most in their history in the competition.

What Arsenal have proven – which needs to be addressed – is their reliance on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. It's more of a creativity problem than an offensive one.

Mikel Arteta's side hardly looked like a goal until the two came on on separate exchanges to provide sharp assists for Jesus within minutes of coming on.

So whether it's improving the left-wing position or better support for Saka and Odegaard – Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling haven't impressed but Ethan Nwaneri has looked promising – that's what Arsenal need to focus on if they want to move in January.
Blitz himself

Palace will love Saturday's second leg

Crystal Palace fought for the cup, certainly for 54 minutes. Until Jesus equalized, Oliver Glasner would shine with how aggressive and diligently organized his team was.

That was on display for their opening goal after just four minutes as Jean-Phillipe Mateta chewed up and spat out Jakub Kiwior as they battled for a 50-50 ball from Dean Henderson before the striker kept his cool in front of goal. We should not be surprised by Mateta's deadly ending.

That's now 25 goals in his last 35 starts for club and country – any striker, at least Erling Haaland, at the top level would tear your arm off for such a return. Palace could not sustain their prowess out of possession as Arsenal eventually broke through. However, on Saturday at Selhurst Park, facing the same opponents, live on Sky Sportsthis Palace team certainly has the game plan and the aggressiveness to make life miserable for the Gunners again. However, this time they will have to do it for 90 minutes.
Lewis Jones

Elliott shines in Liverpool's win

On 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 winner with a clinical low finish to the first half.

Even at 21 years old, Elliott was one of the more experienced players in the young team and led by example in midfield.

The Englishman made the most passes in the final period (21) in the game and produced a man-of-the-match performance.

“He was outstanding,” he said Sky Sports' Don Goodman. “Not just the goal, his all-round work ethic with and without the ball. Great game.”

Now Elliott will be hoping his performance can earn him a starting place in the Premier League to become a more regular under Arne Slott.
Declan Olley

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

The plan was clear for all to see from the start as Liverpool came to St Mary's for the second time in a month: stay compact, with rigid banks of five and four, frustrate Liverpool, hit them on the counter when the wickets opened and hope for the best.

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

For a good 20 minutes, Liverpool attacked and attacked, but were kept at bay. When the pump-outs went on for a long time, the fans responded with a standing ovation. There were brave blocks later that kept the final score respectable.

Saints fans have recently seen their team concede goals like nobody's business – 11 in their last three Premier League games in fact – and to see the defensive fragility disappear, even to an extent, has been very well received.

Is it a sign of things to come? It's hard to say for sure until Martin's permanent replacement is named. If they were to play in a similar fashion in the Premier League, they might just have the very early beginnings of a bid for survival.
Dan Long

Great Tonali amps it up for Toon

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

The Italian midfielder finally seems to have lived 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 goal that showed the technique at his disposal. His reaction and celebration show the bond he has forged with the Toon support – who backed him strongly through his ban last season.

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

If not his best performance in a Newcastle shirt, this was certainly his most memorable. His quality swung the game in their direction. If he could become the man to lead the club to that long-awaited trophy, he will never be forgotten in the city.
Simeon Gholam

Fixtures catch up with Brentford

“It's about finding balance in a tough week where we want to deliver the best result in all three games.” That was previously Thomas Frank's explanation for making so many changes to the team that played Chelsea on Sunday. Did he get it right?

Brentford return to action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, so the frustration is understandable. “I've been pretty vocal about the fact that I don't think we've had an optimal schedule, but it is what it is. I fully believe this team can compete,” he said.

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

Damsgaard was the real spark in the last half hour of the game, letting Mbeum set up Yoane Wiss for Brentford's consolation goal. A beautiful pass from Mbeuma opened the defense wide and created a chance for Wiss moments earlier.

Would it have made any difference if Frank felt he could start a trio? The Bees boss would point to the example of Ethan Pinnock, who was asked to start again only to develop a hamstring problem early on. Something had to give. It was Brentford's Cup of Hope.
Adam Bate