A former Arsenal star on Leeds United’s prospects.

Former Arsenal star Alan Smith has served up high praise for Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side in declaring where he thinks the Whites could finish in their second season back in the Premier League.

Farke led Leeds to an excellent 14th-placed finish on last season’s Premier League return and champions Arsenal remain the only team to have beaten United after seven games of the new top-flight campaign.

Leeds went into the extended international break still unbeaten and then led champions Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates, the Gunners surviving a big scare en route to recording a 2-1 success.

Farke’s side then shared a 1-1 draw with arch rivals Manchester United in last weekend’s Roses derby at Elland Road - Farke declaring his disappointment at not winning the game after the draw which left Leeds in seventh place.

“What a threat they can be against a top side”

Seventh, though, would very likely be enough to seal a European football qualification place and ex-Gunners star Smith believes doing so is within United’s compass, the ex-striker praising Leeds alongside Brighton and Brentford as this season’s contenders.

Speaking to BestBettingSites.co.uk, Smith said: “I think they could finish in a European spot.

“You look at the teams that did it last year. Sunderland aren’t going to be in one this year, I don’t think. So, along with the Brightons and the Brentfords, if they carry on like this. You saw at Arsenal what a well-organised team they are and what a threat they can be against a top side.

“So again, Daniel Farke’s side are a physical team who put themselves about, and that’s what they’ve got to try and sustain as well. But it’s not beyond them to claim a European spot.”