SEVILLE, Spain -- Arsenal lost both their unbeaten record this season and leadership of Group H after slumping to a 3-1 Champions League defeat at Sevilla.

Sevilla players celebrate Seydou Keita's goal in their crucial 3-1 home victory over Arsenal.

A youthful Gunners side took the lead in the 11th minute through Eduardo da Silva, but Sevilla hit back to claim a deserved win and join Arsenal in the last 16.

Seydou Keita levelled the scores up soon after Eduardo's strike, before further goals from Luis Fabiano and former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute -- from the penalty spot -- wrapped up the win for the hosts.

Arsenal had not been beaten in a competitive match since the start of April, a run of 28 games, and came into the match three points clear at the top of the English Premier League.

In contrast, Sevilla have lost seven of their 12 Primera Liga matches and already find themselves 14 points adrift of Real Madrid.

The Spaniards had also lost their last two league games and suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the opening round of group matches, but Manolo Jimenez's side were faster out of the blocks tonight with Kanoute going close early on.

Arsenal, with seven changes to the side that started against Wigan at the weekend, barely threatened in the opening stages, but with their first serious attack in the 11th minute they managed to take the lead.

Nicklas Bendtner sent in a cross from the right which found Eduardo lurking between two Sevilla defenders, and the Croatian showed good chest control before slotting the ball home at the far post.

That advantage did not last long as Sevilla drew level in the 24th minute with a superb strike from Keita.

A fluffed clearance by defender Philippe Senderos gifted Jesus Navas possession on the right and although his low cross was cleared by Gilberto, Keita was on hand to rifle a stunning 20-yard shot into the roof of Manuel Almunia's net.

That was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in this season's Champions League, but worse was to follow as Sevilla took the lead through Luis Fabiano in the 34th minute.

Moments before, the Brazilian striker had almost capitalised on another Arsenal defensive error, this time by Gilberto, only to be denied by some last-ditch defending.

However, he made no mistake with his next opportunity, sending a glancing header from Daniel Alves' free-kick past Almunia's right hand and into the corner of the net.

Arsenal might have found themselves 3-1 down just before the break, but they were given an unexpected let-off by Kanoute. He seemed certain to score after Almunia had palmed out a Luis Fabiano shot, but the Mali international screwed his shot wide.

Arsenal started the second half looking in determined mood, and they felt they had good claims for a penalty in the 50th minute when Emmanuel Eboue went down inside the area following a challenge by Christian Poulsen.

Controversy reigned in the 65th minute when the referee awarded Sevilla a penalty following what he felt was a handball by Senderos, only to reverse his decision moments later.

The Arsenal players were stunned by the initial ruling, convinced that Senderos had blocked Navas' cross with his chest, and they complained to both the referee and his assistant. The referee then decided to award a drop-ball instead of the penalty, leaving the home fans fuming.

The home side wrapped the match up with three minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty -- with this one standing.

Kanoute went tumbling under the combined challenge of Kolo Toure and Bacary Sagna as he raced to meet a Navas cross, and the striker picked himself up to slot home the resulting penalty and finally settle the outcome.

The result means Sevilla will finish top of the group if they win at Slavia Prague in their final match. However, a draw and a win for Arsenal at home to Steaua Bucharest will see the London side finish top.

In the group's other match, Zdenek Senkerik scored a late equalizer to give Slavia a 1-1 draw in Bucharest to secure third position and a place in the UEFA Cup.

Senkerik converted his team's only chance in the 78th minute, heading in a Mickael Tavarez pass.

Valentin Badea had put Steaua ahead in the 12th minute when he scored from six meters out after receiving a pass from Nicolae Dica.

Steaua, who were earning their first point in the group, pressed from the start and created a few early chances, with Adrian Neaga having a goal disallowed for offside in the eighth minute. E-mail to a friend