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Jermain Defoe has told Football Daily that he believes Arsenal will miss out on the top-four places in the Premier League this season – but expects Tottenham and Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Tottenham have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, picking up an excellent 14 points from six games. Arsenal, meanwhile, remain top of the tree. They have won five of six, but lost to Manchester United on Sunday.

Manchester City are on 14 like Spurs, while Manchester United have 12 after four wins on the bounce. Liverpool and Chelsea are yet to reach top gear. Defoe expects his old side Tottenham to easily qualify for the top four this term.

When asked who are in his top four as things stand, he said – in no particular order – that Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs qualify, without hesitation. He then took some time before picking his fourth side, naming Chelsea.

“I’m not going to say who is going to win, and who is second and that. But for me, the top four teams in the league this year, when I look at the squads, I think Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and, Chelsea,” Defoe said.

It is going to be an incredibly exciting race to qualify for the Champions League. Arsenal look stronger, but this season, they have to deal with competing in the Europa League. Manchester United too. Manchester City look very strong.

They look more than likely to go on and win the Premier League title, even if they have only drawn with Newcastle and Aston Villa. Spurs look as though they have ridded themselves of the ‘Spursy’ tag under the rule of Antonio Conte.

Chelsea have been up and down, but once injuries calm down and the new signings gel, they could be a real threat. Erik ten Hag is getting the best out of some underperforming United stars. It is certainly all up for grabs.

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