There are few seasons that sum up Arsenal’s post-Highbury ineptitude quite like this one.
With Chelsea’s title defence effectively over by Halloween, and both Manchester clubs failing to achieve any sort of consistency, the stage was set for the Gunners to claim their first Premier League title since the unbeaten season of 2003/04.
Despite all this, Arsene Wenger’s men have struggled and find themselves in third place, trailing Leicester City and North London rivals Tottenham.
Coming into Saturday’s game against West Ham, Arsenal fans had the faint glimmer of hope that an epic title challenge could be mounted, but it all went wrong, as Andy Carroll scored a hat-trick with goals either side of half-time to kill off the Arsenal dream.
Despite Laurent Koscielny’s 70th-minute equaliser, Arsenal sit 10 points behind leaders Leicester with just six games remaining.
The surprising thing is that it all started so well when Mesut Ozil opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
https://twitter.com/6Gooner/status/718771241008517120
Great goal for Ozil 1 0 gooners 👏
— Ray Parlour (@RealRomfordPele) April 9, 2016
YESSSS ÖZIL HAHAHA COMMENTATOR SLATING HIM FOR NOT SCORING ENOUGH TAKE THATTT
— Alex (@AIexBarbaro) April 9, 2016
Then Alexis Sanchez popped up to double the lead…
I ❤ Alexis Sanchez
Get in therrrrreeeeee
— Amanda 🔴⚪ (@GoonerGirl1969) April 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/Mesutholic/status/718773753241563137
But a quick-fire brace from Andy Carroll meant the teams were level at the break before he bagged a third early in the second half…
https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/718779111364300800
https://twitter.com/Billie_T/status/718788356075872257
https://twitter.com/HarryCFC_/status/718785121235574784
The English striker was gaining a lot of attention for his unusual hairstyle…
Andy Carroll has exceptional hair #WHUvAFC pic.twitter.com/5E20Ouum7q
— Elliot Wagland (@elliotwagland) April 9, 2016
Andy Carroll looks like he got his hair braided on the beach in Tenerife. pic.twitter.com/aWEMOMq5jt
— Matt Brian (@m4tt) April 9, 2016
Carroll should have to forfeit his first three goals in every game because of that hairstyle
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) April 9, 2016
Arsenal fans were quick to wonder why first-choice keeper Petr Cech had been left on the bench, with some questioning the decision before kick off…
Payet crossing to Carroll and we've gone for Ospina over Cech smh
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) April 9, 2016
Ospina's recent form is irrelevant; Cech is the superior keeper and he should be starting, if fit. Arsène's not doing himself any favours.
— FK (@fkhanage) April 9, 2016
Hope Cech is back next week, Ospina gives me zero confidence
— Mark (@patthegooner) April 9, 2016
Even though Laurent Koscielny equalised with 20 minutes to play, Gooners accepted that their season was now about staying in the top four…
https://twitter.com/Tweet2Hd/status/718787639990689792
https://twitter.com/pvkichulo/status/718786777109118976
https://twitter.com/ArabLightening/status/718784701318737920
