Twitter Reacts as Andy Carroll Hits Hat-Trick in Thrilling West Ham-Arsenal Draw

Andy Carroll was the main man on Saturday, as his quick-fire hat-trick dragged West Ham United from 2-0 down to 3-2 up, before Laurent Koscielny's equaliser rescued a point for the Gunners in a thrilling London derby at the Boleyn Ground.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger provided a surprise with his team selection when he opted to stick with David Ospina ahead of the fit-again Petr Cech:

"

Wenger chooses to keep #Cech on the bench for Arsenal's showdown at West Ham, Ospina starts. pic.twitter.com/VzxxOl8doK

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

"

Not sure about the decision to pick David Ospina when West Ham will be hanging the ball up for Andy Carroll. 🤔🤔🤔

— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) April 9, 2016"

"

You don't need me to say it but the Ospina decision is a bit perverse

— Tony Evans (@TonyEvans92a) April 9, 2016"

"

Was feeling really positive about front 4 of Welbeck/Iwobi/Alexis/Ozil - and Wenger ruins my mood yet again.#cech #afc

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2016"

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I'm sorry, you have your first world class GK in over a decade. If Cech's fit, he starts, regardless of form. #WHUvAFC

— Stewart Russell (@stewartrussell) April 9, 2016"

The home side started the brighter and thought they'd opened the scoring through Manuel Lanzini, only for the linesman to wrongly signal for offside:

"

That West Ham goal should have stood...

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) April 9, 2016"

"

Another big decision gone against West Ham. Perfectly good Lanzini goal given offside.

— michael owen (@themichaelowen) April 9, 2016"

That decision was immediately compounded when Alex Iwobi set up Mesut Ozil to put the Gunners ahead:

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West Ham 0-1 Arsenal (#Ozil) pic.twitter.com/eUhDMFBTVw

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

"

1-0 Arsenal, Ozil scores four minutes after a West Ham had a goal incorrectly ruled offside. Referees, eh?

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 9, 2016"

"

Lovely finish from Mesut Özil. West Ham can still feel aggrieved about the Lanzini disallowed goal tho

— Callum Mackenzie (@callumlarr) April 9, 2016"

"

Mesut Ozil silences the critics with a nice finish. He will now be return to being the greatest signing ever, for the next 6 days.

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 9, 2016"

"

6 - Mesut Ozil has scored six times for Arsenal this season, his best return in a Premier League season for the club. Opener.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 9, 2016"

It was 2-0 shortly after, Iwobi again the provider, this time for Alexis Sanchez:

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Lovely goal. Iwobi to Alexis, beats Adrian. The ever-stoic @Zonal_Marking actually clapped that one.

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) April 9, 2016"

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Goal goal goal. 2 0 Sanchez. Iwobi another assist 👏👍

— Ray Parlour (@RealRomfordPele) April 9, 2016"

"

Iwobi is some talent. Another assist, this time for Sanchez, and Arsenal are in control again at Upton Park.

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 9, 2016"

"

Death, taxes, and Arsenal playing like the Harlem Globetrotters as soon as there's only a top-four place to play for.

— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 9, 2016"

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Have a feeling Alexis Sanchez's return to form is directly linked to playing with Iwobi/Welbeck. Seem to click really well. #WHUvAFC

— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) April 9, 2016"

"

Coquelin’s celebration... pic.twitter.com/q2opgprUpM

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

West Ham got themselves back in the game with 44 minutes on the clock, with Andy Carroll rising the highest to head beyond Ospina:

"

Ospina just stood there.
Then fell slowly backwards.
Thanks, Wenger. #WHUvAFC

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2016"

"

Game on at Upton Park..! 1-2

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) April 9, 2016"

And before Arsenal could resettle, West Ham were level, Carroll again causing havoc in the penalty area:

"

West Ham 0-2 Arsenal (45)
West Ham 1-2 Arsenal (added time, Carroll)
West Ham 2-2 Arsenal (added time, Carroll) pic.twitter.com/d8uO3H6WSu

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

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2-2! Carroll volleys in the equaliser! Argument he might not have been on the pitch given the tackle on Koscielny...

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 9, 2016"

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Every football fan's reaction to Andy Carroll's second goal. pic.twitter.com/1uiGCcK5I2

— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) April 9, 2016"

The Gunners had thrown away a two-goal lead in three minutes:

"

What just happened?????

— David Seaman (@thedavidseaman) April 9, 2016"

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Highlights of #Arsenal finishing up the first half. #WHUvAFC pic.twitter.com/6hurPvI7uX

— KICK (@KICK) April 9, 2016"

"

Oh Arsenal. You are funny.

— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) April 9, 2016"

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Arsenal's first half. #WHUvAFC pic.twitter.com/JpjsnI4roK

— David Schneider (@davidschneider) April 9, 2016"

"

Arsenal struggling to deal with physicality. That's a surprise !!

— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) April 9, 2016"

"

Half-time snack for Arsene Wenger...https://t.co/fYRYSPDq0O

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

The second half started much like the first, with the home side having a goal ruled out—this time correctly:

"

Second goal disallowed for West Ham. Carroll fouls Koscielny before Payet puts it in.

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 9, 2016"

But West Ham scored a third on 52 minutes, and Carroll completed his hat-trick with another towering header:

"

3-2!!! Arsenal simply can't deal with the physicality of Andy Carroll. Where is their steel, their character, their desire at the back...

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) April 9, 2016"

"

Carroll hat-trick: West Ham 3-2 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/IvyjPIK0Ev

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

"

You knew as the cross went on that it'd be Carroll's hat-trick. What must Wenger be thinking?

— Tony Evans (@TonyEvans92a) April 9, 2016"

The former Newcastle United and Liverpool target man was getting a lot of love on social media:

"

GOAL! HAT-TRICK FOR CARROLL! GET HIM ON THE PLAAAAAANE! pic.twitter.com/ZdRCVLdfSE

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 9, 2016"

"

GET HIM ON THE EUROSTAR!

— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) April 9, 2016"

"

Hold up, just changing our name Andy Carroll magazine, btw.

— Mundial Magazine (@MundialMag) April 9, 2016"

"

When he's fit Carroll is a beast of a player, proper centre forward. Arsenal need to toughen up

— Lynsey Hipgrave (@lynseyhipgrave1) April 9, 2016"

"

Andy Carroll is Arsenal's very worst fears becoming flesh.

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) April 9, 2016"

Arsenal, on the other hand, were receiving plenty of stick:

"

Absolutely peak Arsenaling, Arsenal.

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) April 9, 2016"

"

.@ArsenalFanTV pic.twitter.com/ZnRyvSM87d

— Simply Spurs (@Simply_Spurs) April 9, 2016"

"

Whenever Arsenal come up against a big, strong striker. pic.twitter.com/Iod0zmD1BC

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

"

Bring back William Gallas to set up camp in the centre-circle.

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) April 9, 2016"

The Gunners responded, and Koscielny grabbed an equaliser with 70 minutes on the clock:

"

There's some character... 3-3...

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) April 9, 2016"

"

Laurent Koscielny: A man of truly important goals. Glimmer of hope for Arsenal

— Max Bentley (@MaxBentley1) April 9, 2016"

"

Having previously 'lost their bottle', Arsenal have now 'shown spirit'. There's still time for another twist in the narrative.

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) April 9, 2016"

Both sides pushed for a winner, but—eventually—the defences held firm, leaving them to settle for a not-particularly-helpful point:

"

FT: @whufc_official 3-3 @Arsenal #Carroll ⚽⚽⚽

Arsenal 10 points behind Leicester, 6 games to go. pic.twitter.com/v8hfVAGBHr

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 9, 2016"

"

The classic Arsenal game: 1): promising play + false hope. 2): the monumental says-it-all blunder. 3): the reassuring but deceptive response

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) April 9, 2016"

[Twitter]