Declan Rice sends message to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal deal termination claim

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has taken to social media to congratulate Gabriel Jesus after a ‘deserved’ hattrick in their 3-2 League Cup win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday (December 18).

The 27-year-old scored his first goal in the 54th minute, canceling out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early opener with a lovely chip over Dean Henderson in the Crystal Palace goal.

Jesus then doubled his tally 19 minutes later with a composed finish before rounding off his hattrick and sending Arsenal to the semi-finals in the 81st minute.

Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah made it tense soon after but his second goal of the season turned out to be nothing more than a consolation.

Jesus has struggled so far this season, starting just eight of his 23 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals, and providing two assists in 795 minutes of action.

Indeed, many Arsenal fans have claimed he is “finished” at the club and his spell will end in January with a transfer to a new club.

Declan Rice ‘happy for’ Arsenal teammate Gabriel Jesus after Crystal Palace win

Rice, 25, wasn’t in the squad for Arsenal’s League Cup win over Palace after picking up a knock in their 0-0 Premier League draw with Everton on Saturday (December 14).

The defensive midfielder has been key for Mikel Arteta so far this season, starting all 20 of his appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal, and providing four assists in 1633 minutes of action.

Delighted for his teammate, Rice took to Instagram to send him a message, saying: “You deserve this brother! So happy for you.”

Arteta’s side remain in the hunt for the Premier League title despite their disappointing draw with Everton, sitting four points behind Chelsea and six points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal will take for Crystal Palace for the second time in the week on Saturday (December 21) as they seek to remain within touching distance of the top two.

In other news, Arsenal scouts regularly watching Dusan Vlahovic in new transfer twist – Insider.

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The post Declan Rice sends message to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal deal termination claim appeared first on Football Insider.