IAN Wright praised Oxford United and head coach Karl Robinson after watching the U’s put up a strong fight against his former club Arsenal.

While United held their own for more than an hour until Mohamed Elneny opened the scoring, they struggled to create any clear openings at the other end.

Wright – who scored 185 goals in 288 appearances for the Gunners – was on punditry duty for ITV’s coverage of last night’s Emirates FA Cup clash.

On the U’s, he said: “Their problem has been scoring goals and creating goals.

“What you saw with a few of their players, they’re very capable – good passers, good technicians but nothing in the final third.

“I do feel for him [Robinson] because he does play a good brand of football.”

Both Wright and former England player Karen Carney were impressed by Arsenal’s opening goal, which saw Fabio Vieira deliver an inch-perfect free kick for Elneny to head in.

Carney said: “The delivery was phenomenal. It’s an easy header for Elneny because it’s got pace on it, he’s just got to get the connection right.

“It’s a nightmare for defenders, the keeper can’t come out.

“You could practise all day, you won’t get any better than that delivery.”