Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Andy Carroll proved a handful during last night's win over West Ham United.

West Ham provided a stern test for Arsenal with Andy Carroll returning to the starting line-up following a hamstring injury and he caused several aerial problems for the visitors.

But Wenger felt Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker dealt well with Carroll's threat despite a full-blooded performance from the on-loan Liverpool forward.

He said: "You never can completely control Carroll for 90 minutes. You have to fight for him and be good on the second ball.

"The problem with West Ham is not only Carroll, but (Kevin) Nolan on the second ball in the box.

"We could have been punished once or twice but overall we gave it all to deal well with him.

"He (Carroll) was really up for it I must say. He did fight from the first to the last minute. We did quite well."