‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Next Match | Saturday 18 April Sat 18 Apr

POR

(A)

01 D

18 H

30 M

45 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on his Leicester City side to display the ‘highest standards’ both in training and during games to claw away from danger.

2025-02-15T07:00+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

15 Feb, 2025

from LCFC Training Ground

‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on his Leicester City side to display the ‘highest standards’ both in training and during games to claw away from danger.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T07:00+00:00

‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on his Leicester City side to display the ‘highest standards’ both in training and during games to claw away from danger.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T07:00+00:00

‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on his Leicester City side to display the ‘highest standards’ both in training and during games to claw away from danger.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T07:00+00:00

‘We Need To Perform’ – Van Nistelrooy’s Arsenal Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on his Leicester City side to display the ‘highest standards’ both in training and during games to claw away from danger.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T07:00+00:00

The threat of relegation is there for the Foxes, who sit inside the bottom three, two points adrift of safety. City have beaten the odds at this end of the table before, namely spending much of the 2014/15 season rooted to the bottom, only to finish 14th.

Circumstances are different this term, mind you, and with van Nistelrooy the man tasked to avert the threat of returning to the EFL Championship, time is of the essence to earn the points required to do so.

Although Wolverhampton Wanderers, in 17th, are only two points ahead of Leicester, there is a wider gap to the other sides in the Premier League. With title-chasing Arsenal due at King Power Stadium, no matter the opponent, City need points at all costs.

‘They showed they are capable’

We were cruelly denied the opportunity to take Manchester United to extra-time at Old Trafford in the Emirates FA Cup last Friday. Harry Maguire’s last-minute controversial winner made sure of that, but van Nistelrooy was enthused by elements of the display.

“I think the performance deserved to go into extra-time,” the Dutchman said this week. “I felt we were in the game, we were solid, we did really well at Old Trafford. Also, the way we defended and tried to put United under pressure.

“We had to sit a little bit deeper when they became a little more aggressive in the second half. We were solid, we scored a good goal, so there’s lots of things to build on.

“That’s what we wanted, we wanted a reaction after the Everton game. We did, but unfortunately it ended [that way].”

Evaluating Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who are hoping to close the gap on leaders Liverpool, the Manager couldn’t hide the gulf between the two sides – but he knows his side can compete if they apply themselves to the required level.

“The difference between us and Arsenal is big,” he added. “You can see that in the table, it’s clear. They’re a team that is fighting to win the title and is in the Champions League. It’s a big challenge for us.

“It’s something to look forward to, to perform the best possible way, and we’ll continue building on the last performance against United. That showed that they are capable.

“The depth of their squad is clear. Obviously not having [Bukayo] Saka and [Kai] Havertz, players that are at that level, is something they will feel. But the squad, when you look at that, they have enough players to replace them.”

‘You have to prepare every day’

Van Nistelrooy says Leicester’s players cannot afford to allow the gravity of their situation to become a preoccupation. They must focus on their training, their preparation, and head into games focused solely on the task at hand.

Asked what’s needed to get results, he explained: “A game-by-game mindset, that’s for sure. Maximum preparation within the training week, the highest standards for every game we’re going to play.

“And then we need to perform at our best. Then it’s up to how you manage the games. Of course, we know we have to score more, concede less, that’s the most basic evaluation of our performances.

“That’s where the differences are made, in both boxes. It’s our challenge to live up to that. You have to prepare every day. You can’t sit at home nervous all day.

“You have to work, you have to invest in making things happen for yourself. When game day comes, you have to perform in the best possible way, as an individual and as a team. Collectively we have to be all at 100 per cent to win games and get out of this situation – that’s by working.”

‘We’re in there for the fight’

The Manager also accepts that the challenge is tough for any newly-promoted side to bridge the gap back in the Premier League. Currently, all three teams who were promoted occupy the bottom three, but he was eager to point to the small margins, knowing a victory at the weekend could see Leicester back above the dotted line.

“If you look at the promoted sides that stay up, that’s a great performance,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker said. “You have to keep a team below you that was already in the Premier League for years, most of the time.

“That will be absolutely fantastic to be able to do that. We’re in there for the fight, with belief, and we’ll prepare for that – taking it game-by-game.”

“It's difficult to comment on [the lower points tallies required for survival in recent years]. Every season is different, how things go between 38 games. At this moment, we can only look at where we are now, what is left, and what we need to do. That task is clear.”

LATEST HEADLINES

Rowett: James & Ramsey Assessed Pre-Pompey Gary Rowett revealed that Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are being monitored prior to our trip to Portsmouth.

3 Hours 24 Mins Ago

Pompey Clash Live On Foxes Hub We're at Fratton Park this Saturday lunchtime - here's how to follow the action across Foxes Hub.

4 Hours 29 Mins Ago

McSweeney ‘Really Pleased’ With Leeds Triumph Leon McSweeney believes our Under-21s were rewarded for a high level of performance produced during the 3-2 success over Leeds United on Monday.

15 Apr, 2026

Foxes On Target In World Cup Qualifiers Hannah Cain and Sari Kees both netted in recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, while Emily van Egmond scored for Australia.

15 Apr, 2026