By LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 17:45, 7 February 2026 | Updated: 17:45, 7 February 2026

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...