Jesus ready to start against Palace - Arteta

Mikel Arteta says striker Gabriel Jesus is ready to start against Crystal Palace in their Carabao Cup quarter-final match on Tuesday evening.

Jesus returned to first team action for the first time in 332 days in the 3-0 win over Club Brugge earlier this month after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury which he sustained in January.

The forward made a positive impact in that game and also forced the stoppage time own goal that saw Arsenal pick up a crucial three points over Wolves.

And now, after more minutes against Everton on Saturday, Arteta has said the forward is ready to play a match from the start.

"Yes, he is." Arteta said. "You can see now, not only in games, every day in training, how much he wants it. He's going to deserve a chance soon."

Jesus has shown remarkable sharpness having been out for the majority of the year but the performances he has shown have not shocked his manager.

Arteta praised the forward's ability to bring the best out of his team-mates and the match against the Eagles will be Jesus' 100th appearance for Arsenal.

The Brazilian scored five goals against Palace in two games at this time last year with a hat-trick coming in the same stage of the cup competition, knocking the Eagles out.

"Well it's been a really intense journey I would say," Arteta said.

"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.

"And then he had some very bad injuries that hasn't allowed him to have the consistency that we need from a very important player.

"But he's back, I think his fighting 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."