ONE BEL OF A TRIP FOR FOXES FANS
THE links between Leicester City and OH Leuven will be underlined today when fans of the Foxes arrive in Belgium to support their sister club.
Both clubs are owned by the King Power Group and Leuven are managed by former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson.
The Belgian promotion-chasers also have a player on loan from Leicester – promising 6ft 5ins centre-back Elliott Moore, 20.
England Under-20s international Moore (below) is creating a big impression in Belgium.
And the connections between the two clubs will be increased when Leuven play SV Roeselare tonight.
Leicester’s Thai owners have organised a trip where supporters receive transport, overnight accommodation and a match ticket.
Under a reciprocal arrangement, Leuven fans will travel to Leicester for their match against Watford on January 20.
OHL boss Pearson said: “There are around 150 Leicester fans coming over for our match and they will get a warm welcome.
“As you would imagine, the clubs are closely linked and the owners want to unite the fans.”
Pearson aims to bounce back with a win tonight after suffering his first defeat in eight matches last weekend, a 2-1 loss at Lierse. PAUL POGBA
★ has a new nickname – Americano. to do But it’s got nothing with a love of coffee. and France The Man United at home in the midfielder feels pal at USA and his French Zouma, Stoke City, Kurt
Paul revealed: “I call Americano because he thinks that he’s American!”
PAUL HETHERINGTON
As an integral part of both George Graham and Arsene Wenger’s golden eras, which yielded five league titles between 1989 and 2004, the Highbury legend knows exactly what it takes to be the best team in the land.
Dixon watched Graham overhaul the club from top to bottom to build an Arsenal outfit who were capable of competing with – and eventually conquering – the English elite.
And he was still around to witness Wenger use that rock-solid platform created by his Scottish predecessor to launch his own decade of stunning success.
But with Arsenal’s Premier League title drought now standing at 13 years – and seemingly certain to hit 14 in May – Dixon warns the short to mid-term picture for the Gunners is seriously bleak.
The erosion of the discipline, organisation and character that made them such a force has gone unchecked for too long – meaning there is no quick or easy solution.
Dixon, 53, signed from second-tier Stoke City in July 1988, said: “George has to take huge credit for setting up the foundations for Arsene.
“When he came in he realised he had this base of what Arsenal was all about – and left it there.
“It had been drilled into us for five or six years. We had this ethos. It was built on a back four that could play blindfolded.
“And it worked for Arsene – as it had for George – for a long period and helped win lots of trophies.
“But for whatever reason, whether it was modern football or that he couldn’t find players to replicate it, this has been lost over time.
“George managed and coached in one way. Arsene was completely different, allowing his players much more freedom.
“But that balance has flipped the wrong way – and that’s the bit which