Arsenal blunder may value bookies over £1m if Mikel Arteta’s aspect ‘bottle’ title race
Bookmaker Paddy Power paid out early on Arsenal winning the Premier League when they were nine points clear, but the Gunners have failed to win five matches in 2026 as Manchester City close the gap
Mikel Arteta is under pressure(Image: Getty Images)
It’s not only Arsenal and their fans who have been left anxious by the Gunners’ midweek stumble against Wolves. Bookmaker Paddy Power may have already cost themselves over £1million if Mikel Arteta’s squad fail to capitalise on their Premier League advantage.
Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City, who hold a game in hand and still need to face their rivals at the Etihad Stadium, and now find themselves in a shaky position after failing to secure victory in five of their league matches in 2026. Despite the close competition at the top, Arsenal have long been considered favourites to clinch the division for the first time in over two decades.
It seems the bookies may have got carried away and made a decision that could yet prove costly. When Arteta’s team were nine points ahead just a fortnight ago following a 3-0 triumph over Sunderland, Paddy Power concluded the title race was settled and paid out early.
Tensions might be rising with the Gunners next facing their north London adversaries, Tottenham, this weekend. The pressure will undoubtedly be immense as they have seen their ‘bottle’ questioned.
A Paddy Power spokesperson stated: “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!”
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Despite the opportunity being present, Pep Guardiola is insistent he has not yet discussed the possibility of expanding City’s silverware haul, with his squad.
“I didn’t talk about that for one second. Just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle,” he said on Friday.
“I didn’t talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less. It’s 12 games [still to play]. If you ask me this question with two or three games left, I will have your answer.
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It’s 12 games left, it’s an eternity. Twelve [more] games is a lot, like I said before. So Newcastle is my only concern.
“We will be concerned about the League Cup final against Arsenal when it is coming up, but for now it is Newcastle, a rest and after it, Leeds. It has always been like that.”
Arteta is merely optimistic about returning to winning ways against the Gunners’ most bitter adversaries. “That’s what we are trying to do,” he said in his press conference.
“That’s the instant reaction – first of all, it’s pain [from conceding late in our last game], and then after that, what can we do about it? That’s it. There is not another thing that we have to do – now all we have to do is perform on the pitch.
“The words are clear. I was a player – love me when I draw or lose. When I win, to love you when I win, it’s very easy. You have to love the players and be next to them when they need it most.”
