Paddy Power have crowned Arsenal as this season’s Premier League champions – after paying out early on the title race betting market with more than a third of the season left to play.
The Gunners secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon to go nine points clear of Manchester City ahead of their tricky trip to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
And the Irish bookmakers aren’t even waiting around for the outcome of the Anfield showdown to call the title race, after paying out on Mikel Arteta’s men claiming a first Premier League crown since 2004.
Arsenal were 5/2 third-favourites to win the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years before a ball was kicked back in August, with holders Liverpool the 15/8 front-runners and Manchester City at 2/1.
The north Londoners have led the way for most of the campaign and have built a nine-point cushion to nearest challengers Manchester City and also kept Aston Villa at arm’s reach despite their impressive campaign under Unai Emery.
Paddy Power can’t see Arsenal’s challengers closing that gap between now and May, so have called the title race early.
PaddyPower are paying out on bets for Arsenal to win the title after their 3-0 win against Sunderland
The early payout on Arsenal to win the Premier League comes months after Paddy Power did the same on Celtic to win the title in Scotland – after just two games.
However, that decision could yet leave the bookmaker with egg on their face, with the dysfunctional Glasgow giants on their third manager of the season and lying third in table six points adrift of surprise league leaders Hearts.
Paddy Power said in a statement: ‘We can’t promise this will stop Arsenal fans from fretting online about every single referee decision that doesn’t go their way being part of some great big conspiracy, but hopefully it will put a few minds at rest in north London at least.
‘It would take a cock-up of Tottenham-esque levels for the Gunners not to win the Premier League title from here. Surely nothing can possibly go wrong now, right?’
