Arsenal overcame the controversial dismissal of Robin van Persie to beat Swiss underdogs FC Thun 2-1 thanks to an injury-time winner from substitute Dennis Bergkamp.
Van Persie was shown a straight red-card just before half-time for a clumsy high-footed challenge, that while it clipped defender Alen Orman's head, was in no way malicious and most likely warranted just a booking.
The Gunners started brightly but spurned several chances inside the first 15 minutes. Robert Pires fired a curling shot just wide and van Persie hit a stinging drive that goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic kept out.
Arsenal began to turn the screws but Thun held out as Jakupovic fumbled a Jose Antonio Reyes shot through his legs but managed to recover the ball before Freddie Ljungberg slid in and bundled him over the line, fouling him in the process.
Despite being rocked by van Persie's sending off, Arsenal took the lead six minutes after the restart when Gilberto headed in Pires' corner from the right. The Arsenal midfielder rose above the Thun defence at the back post and directed a cushioned header across the goalkeeper.
However Thun shocked Highbury when they drew level just two minutes later. Toure's weak header fell to Ferreira inside the box and he controlled the ball before curling a right-foot shot over his shoulder.
The Gunners attacked with urgency but Thun proved stubborn to break down and even the introduction of Bergkamp and Alexander Hleb did little to dent the Swiss defence.
But just as it seemed Thun had snatched a famous draw, Bergkamp took down a ball in the box. He stumbled to the ground in a challenge but rose quickest to prod the ball past Jakupovic to the joy of the Highbury faithful.
