Kolo points finger at 'biased' referee

Dutchman Braamhaar awarded the slick Spaniards a second-half penalty converted by Fredi Kanoute and also sent manager Arsene Wenger to the stands as the Frenchman became increasingly frustrated with the theatrical antics of the home side.

Toure blamed the official and Sevilla skipper Alves for failing to keep a lid on some of the home side's playacting as temperatures rose towards the end of a thrilling contest.

"I don't like to talk about the referee but he made things more hard for us," said the Gunners' stand-in skipper. "Everything he did was against Arsenal but when you go away it is always like that. I was also getting really upset with the captain. When you try and talk to him he didn't listen. He was really arrogant as well and didn't want to talk to me. I don't know why."

Wenger was critical of the fourth official after being sent off 10 minutes from the end for complaining about what he felt was time wasting by Alves.

"The fourth official was very busy tonight. I've been involved in over 100 games in the Champions League and his behaviour was shocking," said Wenger.

"Alves was down wasting time and when the guy [team physio] came on the pitch he stood up and two minutes later he was sprinting.

I asked the referee why he sent me off and he said he would explain after the game but he couldn't give me another reason."

Wenger admitted that it was a risky strategy to field a weakened team with the leadership of the group at stake. Three-quarters of the regular back four did not feature, while teenage leftback Armand Traore was handed his Champions League debut and Nicklas Bendtner was asked to plough a lone furrow up front.

"Yes it was [risky], but I don't regret it because I wanted some players to be exposed to the top level and I'm happy I did that," Wenger added.

"An unbeaten record in the Champions League is not important, what it important is to qualify and we've got the Premier League, too.

"We've got a lot of big games coming up and we've got a big December."

Striker Eduardo had demonstrated his nose for goal by putting the finishing touch to a brilliant move in the 11th minute but the hosts replied with a fabulous strike from Seydou Keita, a header from Luis Fabiano and Kanoute's late penalty.

Toure blamed the end of Arsenal's 28-match unbeaten run on the quality of Sevilla's play rather than Wenger leaving out a number of established names.

"Sometimes in football you play against a team who are maybe better than you for the evening and last night Sevilla were better," he said. "They are a good side. We know that kind of defeat can happen sometimes."

Toure emphasised the need for the team to be fresh for three tricky league assignments on the road, at Aston Villa on Saturday, Newcastle next Wednesday and Middlesbrough on Sunday week.

With this in mind, Cesc Fabregas, surprisingly ineffective back in his homeland, was withdrawn after 56 minutes.

He said: "I felt my hamstring go tight in the first half, and I felt it again in the second half. It's the first time it's happened to me so I didn't want to take the risk.

"I say I will be okay for Saturday but the doctors are always trying to be a bit careful. We will see the reaction today."

Gilberto was recalled to the team after missing out through fatigue at the weekend after returning from international duty with Brazil but he says he has not considered retiring from international football to prolong his club career.

The 31-year-old said: "Not yet. I have a lot to contribute for my country."