Arsenal ended Leeds United’s unbeaten Premier League start on Saturday. But the performance showed why the Whites will trouble most teams this season.
Leeds dreamed of an upset when James Justin scored in the second half. However, Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes scored to win all three points for the champions.
Daniel Farke’s side showed fight, gumption and a willingness to stand up to pressure against the Gunners. However, Arsenal’s superior bench strength finally got them over the line.
There is talk of Leeds potentially qualifying for Europe this season, but Joe Cole is still not fully convinced of this Whites team’s overall ceiling at the moment.
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Joe Cole reveals his prediction for Leeds this season
The former Chelsea star doesn’t think Europe is an unrealistic expectation for Leeds, but he doesn’t think it’s achievable this season.
He credited Daniel Farke with devising a style of play that makes Leeds hard to play against, and said the team’s physicality will cause problems for everyone.
However, Cole just doesn’t believe that Leeds have the squad to leapfrog a few other teams and finish in the European spots this season.
“I would not say it is realistic for Leeds to get to Europe this season, but I would say that it’s possible”, he said on TNT Sports.
“Daniel Farke has done a great job. When Leeds came up, I think they looked at those teams who have tried to play football at this level and opted against that.
“They have recruited size, and they have become very good at attacking and defending set-pieces.
“They have got a style of play, and it was a work of art bringing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the club on a free transfer.
“I watched them at Chelsea last season, and they have a real togetherness about them. It’s a club that is building.
“Daniel Farke is a great manager, and they can dream, but I think it will be difficult for Leeds to make Europe with the competition that is out there in the Premier League.
“They have a real physicality and size to them. Ethan Ampadu leads them so well. They’ve got quality – Justin, Tanaka, Okafor and then they also have Longstaff, Aaronson, Wilson.
“There are goals in the team and undoubted quality. But I just think Europe will be a touch too far for them this season.”
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Joe Cole is wrong; Europe is a distinct possibility for Leeds
Leeds United qualifying for Europe might seem a stretch, but there are reasons not to dismiss the idea completely.
Daniel Farke has built a side that is organised, competitive, and willing to take on established Premier League teams. Despite the defeat, their performance against Arsenal showed they are not simply here to make up the numbers.
The key will be consistency. Leeds need to turn promising displays into wins and make Elland Road a difficult place for visiting teams.
Squad depth could become an issue, but if key players stay fit and confidence grows, the Whites could surprise a few people. Europe remains an outside bet, but stranger things have happened.
