West Ham 3-3 Arsenal: Arsene Wenger defends decision to select David Ospina over Petr Čech

Arsene Wenger insisted he was justified in selecting David Ospina ahead of Petr Čech following Arsenal's exhilarating draw with West Ham United.

Čech was recalled to the match day squad having recovered from the calf injury that saw him miss the club's last six games. The 33-year-old was left on the bench, however, as Arsenal surrendered a two goal lead with Andy Carroll netting a hat-trick in a thriller at Upton Park.

Wenger's decision to omit Cech was heavily criticised by supporters on social media ahead of kick off. But speaking to BT Sport post-match, the Arsenal boss defended his decision, insisting Ospina's two clean sheets in his last two games justified his selection.

"Whether Petr Cech or David Opsina play, we have a bad record in the air since the start of the season, no matter who plays," he said.

Look, I believe we have not conceded in last two games. No matter who you play you are right, no matter who you play you are wrong. Every time you concede a goal people will say, 'Why did you not play him?' At the end of the day, he [Čech] has come back from injury, had a good week training and I just decided to keep the winning team."

West Ham extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 14 despite falling behind after 35 minutes. The home side did have the ball in the back of the net first, however, when Manuel Lanzini diverted Carroll's overhead kick past Ospina, only to be flagged offside. Replays showed afterwards Hector Bellerin had played the Hammers attacking midfielder onside.

Arsenal took the lead minutes later when 19-year-old Alex Iwobi threaded a pass through for Mesut Özil, who coolly slotted the ball under Adrian. Iwobi was involved in his side's second, flicking a fine ball over for Sanchez who found the back of the net from similar range.

The game changed completely in the final minutes of the first half however when Carroll pulled one back after heading home Aaron Cresswell's cross. The former Newcastle United striker struck again minutes later to level the contest and completed his hat-trick with another header six minutes into the second half.

Laurent Koscielny found himself in an attacking position with 20 minutes remaining and fired into the roof of the net after a one-two with Danny Welbeck to equalise.

Arsenal now sit 10 points adrift of league leaders Leicester City having played a game more with six games of the season remaining. Wenger added post-match the Gunners' title hopes are now fainter than ever. "Do we still have an opportunity to win the title? I don't know. We made it more difficult today."