Paddy Power Pays Out Early on Arsenal to Win Premier League After Nine-Point Lead Only to See Gunners Drop Points Against Brentford and Wolves in England

Paddy Power may have jumped the gun a bit when it comes to crowning Arsenal as Premier League champions, and it could cost them more than £1 million.

Just two weeks ago, Mikel Arteta’s squad looked unstoppable.

With a 3-0 win over Sunderland and a nine-point lead at the top of the table, the Irish bookmaker decided the title race was a done deal and paid out early on the Gunners.

At the time, it seemed like a safe bet. Arsenal hadn’t lifted a league title since the famous “Invincibles” campaign of 2003-04, and no other team looked capable of catching them. But football, as always, had other ideas.

From Certainty to Uncertainty

Fast forward a fortnight, and things look very different.

Arsenal has dropped points in consecutive draws against Brentford and relegation-threatened Wolves.

Suddenly, Manchester City has been handed back the initiative in the title race, leaving Paddy Power in an awkward position.

The early payout, which might exceed £1 million, now looks like one of the costliest decisions in recent bookmaking history.

Accountants, no doubt, are reaching for the aspirin.

Not Paddy Power’s First Early Payout Misstep

This isn’t the first time Paddy Power’s enthusiasm has backfired.

They previously paid out on Celtic to win the Scottish Premiership after just two matches, only to face stiff competition from Rangers and surprise challengers Hearts.

Going further back, the bookmaker has had other eyebrow-raising calls: paying out on Hillary Clinton to win the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, and famously declaring Stoke City relegated on the opening day of the 2008/09 season — only for the Potters to finish 12th.

A Dose of Humour and Reflection

A Paddy Power spokesperson offered a tongue-in-cheek comment on the Arsenal situation:

“We were so confident Arsenal had it wrapped up we practically started engraving the trophy ourselves.

In hindsight, it turns out nine points in February isn’t quite the same as lifting the trophy in May.

Assuming it was all done and dusted that early was a bit Spursy of us!”

It seems even the bookmakers can’t predict the twists and turns of a Premier League season.

What’s Next?

Arsenal now face the challenge of securing the remaining points to actually clinch the title, while Manchester City looks poised to make a late surge.

For Paddy Power, it’s a lesson in patience, and the bookmakers will likely be watching every result with nervous eyes.

Analysts will be dissecting the fallout, and rivals will undoubtedly be hoping for more late-season drama.

Summary

Paddy Power’s early payout on Arsenal to win the Premier League, made when the Gunners held a nine-point lead, could cost the Irish bookmaker over £1 million after Arsenal drew consecutive matches against Brentford and Wolves.

The move echoes previous early payout blunders, including Celtic, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Stoke City in 2008.

While Arsenal fights to secure the title and Manchester City presses their challenge, Paddy Power’s decision serves as a reminder that in football, nothing is ever truly decided until the final whistle.