at 
Bookmakers have decided the Premier League race is over in February, and Arsenal fans are already being told to start planning the parade.
Bookies Push the Button After Sunderland Rout
Arsenal are Premier League champions. At least, that’s the verdict from Paddy Power, who have paid out on outright title bets with more than a third of the season still on the calendar.The move came after Arsenal brushed aside Sunderland 3-0 at the Emirates, a win that opened a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League. With Manchester City chasing and facing a tricky run-in, the bookies decided they’d seen enough.
Arteta’s Side Put Distance Between Themselves and the Pack
Mikel Arteta has watched his side set the pace for most of the campaign, and the Sunderland win felt like another box ticked rather than a statement performance.The gap to City stands at nine points, while Aston Villa, impressive under Unai Emery, remain at arm’s length. Arsenal’s rivals still have matches in hand and pressure fixtures ahead, but Paddy Power clearly don’t fancy a late twist.
From Pre-Season Outsiders to February Certainties
Back in August, Arsenal weren’t the market leaders. They opened at 5/2, with holders Liverpool shorter and City close behind.That context makes the early payout even louder. For bettors, it means winnings in the pocket months early. For the bookie, it’s a gamble that the run-in won’t turn chaotic.
A Familiar Gamble From Paddy Power
This isn’t the first time Paddy Power have jumped the gun. Earlier in the season, they paid out on Celtic after just two games in Scotland, a call that still looks risky with Celtic wobbling and Heart of Midlothian setting the pace.That history makes Arsenal fans cautiously amused rather than fully relaxed.
Wry Words for Nervy Gunners
Paddy Power leaned into their reputation with a tongue-in-cheek statement, suggesting the payout might not stop Arsenal supporters seeing conspiracies in every refereeing call, but could at least calm a few nerves.They added that it would take a collapse of “Tottenham-esque” proportions to derail the title charge, before cheekily asking what could possibly go wrong.
What It Means for Punters
For the average online bettor, this is early cash and bragging rights. Markets on the title are effectively done, while attention shifts to top-four finishes, relegation scraps, and end-of-season awards.Arsenal fans may still wince at every slip or VAR check, but as far as one major bookmaker is concerned, the league trophy is already heading to north London.
