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Manchester City are celebrating a triumphant campaign, but for Riyad Mahrez, it has opened up an opportunity for some friendly ribbing aimed at his former teammate - Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Ukrainian winger, who moved to Arsenal from City during the summer, has been a beacon of brilliance in north London. His stunning performances, bolstered by his impressive skills, have largely been attributed to Arsenal's unlikely push for the title.
However, the Gunners chase faltered as they were left in the dust by City's relentless march. Mahrez admitted that he has been incessantly texting Zinchenko, and their exchange has taken a somewhat comical turn.
Referring to his relentless barrage of messages, Mahrez candidly confessed to beIN Sports (via TBR Football):
“I’m killing him. Always on the phone to him. He’s my friend yeah. We always joke about things but he’s a bit sad at the moment. So yeah, I’ll wait until we lift the trophy and then I’ll call him.”
The Gunners' campaign this season was commendable, but they fell just shy of the finish line. City, by contrast, have been nothing short of phenomenal, ruling the roost with their unmistakable dominance in recent months.
The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs have added a certain zest to Mahrez's friendly interactions with Zinchenko.
Manchester City claim third title in a row as Arsenal falter
The blue side of Manchester has triumphed again. As the dust settles on another thrilling Premier League campaign, Manchester City emergeed victorious, securing their third successive league title. This significant achievement came after their fierce competitors, Arsenal lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20).
Despite leading the race for much of the season - 248 days to be exact - the Gunners' implosion left them trailing City by four points with a game left. The loss propelled Pep Guardiola's formidable squad to another well-earned crown, their fifth in six years.
However, City's appetite for glory is far from satiated. With the Premier League title in the bag, their sights are set firmly on a continental treble. Guardiola's men have the FA Cup and Champions League finals slated for next month, presenting them with the tantalising prospect of matching the feat achieved only by their derby rivals Manchester United.
