Mikel Arteta hopes Gabriel Jesus’ Carabao Cup hat-trick gives the striker the “spark” he needs to rediscover his goalscoring form in the Premier League.

The Brazilian striker scored three second-half goals against Crystal Palace, helping the Gunners come from behind to reach the semi-finals.

They were his first goals at the Emirates Stadium in a year and only the second game he has scored this season, having scored against Preston – also in the EFL Cup – at the end of October.

Jesus has not scored in the Premier League since January 30 and Arteta will be hoping his hat-trick will spur him to find the net again in the league to help Arsenal’s title bid.

“Now it’s about consistency,” said Arteta.

“It’s a pivotal moment that will bring so much to the team that we can rely on it to change games. We have to give him more chances.”

Jesus said after the game that he had worked hard in training to improve his finishing.

“I can be creative, I can provide assists, I can run and help the team defend,” he told Sky Sports.

“When I score, everyone sees it, but when I don’t, they want their striker to score goals, and I agree with that.”

“That’s why I work a lot in training, finish more and put myself in a good position to finish the action.”

“I think my hard work paid off.”