TEN-MAN Burnley put up a brave fight against Premier League leaders Arsenal, but bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

The Clarets looked as if they might threaten Arsneal's early lead with some neat attacking play before and after the break.

But their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Kyle Lafferty was sent off for his midfield challenge on Gilberto just before the hour.

Eduardo put the Gunners in front after just nine minutes after latching onto a simple throughball and slotting the ball beyond a helpless Gabor Kiraly.

And although they had chances to add to their lead, Burnley also looked capable of getting back on level terms. Indeed, Lafferty almost put the Clarets in front before Eduardo scored, but his header crashed back off the crossbar.

Chris McCann had a host of chances in both halves but couldn't capitalise on any of them, while Robbie Blake was also a threat for Owen Coyle's underdogs.

But their task was made all the more difficult following Lafferty's dismissal.

Although the Clarets did their best to defy their one-man disadvantage and put pressure on Arsenal, Nicklas Bendtner put the game well and truly beyond their reach as he rounded Kiraly to side-foot the ball into an empty net in the 76th minute.