The Arsenal kit is simple enough. A bright red torso with white sleeves, usually. It’s a classy look, and it took over 50 years to build. The red wasn’t even the Gunners’ idea.
We are jersey-obsessed here at White Wolf Inspirations and Wise Words for You (partly because I’m an Arsenal supporter), so we can’t help but dig into the stories behind the kits we love. Let’s dive deep into the history trenches to reveal Arsenal’s shirt history, as well as take a peek at some of their most memorable kits, both home and away from seasons long past.
Local munitions workers in London circa 1886 founded Dial Square F.C., the earliest known rendition of Arsenal Football Club. And they needed players. So, they recruited a few lads who were off playing for Nottingham Forest and convinced them to make the bold jump to a new side. They would change Arsenal’s history forever.
Why? Because they brought their Forest kits with them, and they were red.
But they weren’t the kits you know and love today. They were just plain red. It would be years before that would change, before white would be added, before sponsors would appear, before everyone’s favorite Visit Rwanda logo would adorn the sleeves.
Next in the timeline of events, an Arsenal legend steps in. Manager Herbert Chapman, the 'Great Innovator', had an idea. Where he got that idea is up for debate. Here’s the official Arsenal website’s tale of events.
“Depending on which source you believe, Chapman either noticed someone at the ground wearing a red sleeveless sweater over a white shirt or played golf with famous cartoonist of the day Tom Webster, who wore something similar. Either way, the 'look' inspired the manager to create a new strip combining a red shirt with white collar and sleeves. It also incorporated the Club badge, which was positioned on the left-hand side of the shirt.”
Including the club crest on the jersey? Revolutionary.
Born out of fashion and mimicking the vest look, or born on the golf course? Whatever you believe, the year was roughly 1933 and the Gunners as we know them were now up and running.
The home kit would remain mostly untouched following this change – sometimes sleeve cuffs were red, sometimes there was or was not a collar, but otherwise it’s a look you’re quite familiar with.
In 1967 the cannon debuted as the club logo and with it came a league and cup double. In the 70s kit manufacturers began to appear and in 1981 JVC became the first ever sponsor on the front of an Arsenal jersey.
Other notable home jerseys you might remember include, of course, The Invincibles kit. How could we leave this one out? An entire league season unbeaten, 49 games in total and a record that still stands today.
Next, the “Red Current” jersey, whose color palette made its debut in the first ever season at Highbury and closed the curtain as well with an Henry hat trick in the final season and final day at Highbury in 2005/06.
And in 2011/12, the club celebrated 125 years of footballing with an absolute classic, complete with commemorative club crest.
Founded in Woolwich in 1886 and called The Royal Arsenal, the celebratory design features 15 laurel leaves to the left side of the Club's crest to reflect the detail on the reverse of the six pence pieces paid by 15 men to establish the Club - the laurel leaves also represent strength. The 15 oak leaves to the right of the crest acknowledge the founders who would meet in the local Royal Oak pub. Underneath the crest is one of the first recorded mottos related to the armament and battle - 'Forward' - with the anniversary dates of 1886 and 2011 either side of the heart of the shirt. - Official Arsenal News Archive
THE HISTORY OF THE ARSENAL AWAY JERSEY
The history of the Arsenal away jersey is easily divided up between three colors; blue, white and yellow. Modern jerseys take more and more risks as away and third kits become part function, part fashion, but focussing on these colors for Arsenal away kits makes the most sense.
Blue as an away colour may seem strange, as white feels the obvious choice, but the club actually played with blue hooped socks in some of their earliest seasons as a team and so a blue away kit to match (because white had not been introduced yet) was the logical choice. White did come into play alongside the navy blue in the early 1900s and the two swapped back and forth for some time until blue took a 20-year leave of absence and appeared again in the early 50s.
In between that, yellow was introduced at the 1950 FA Cup Final, and the two would join forces and seize hold of Arsenal away kits from 1968 to roughly 2009.
One of the most memorable Arsenal aways is the “Up for Grabs Now!” 1988/91 kit. On the final day of the EPL season, 1st place Liverpool hosted 2nd place Arsenal, with Arsenal needing a victory and a 2-goal margin in order to claim the title. Liverpool were the heavy favorites. But then, Michael Thomas stormed through the Liverpool backline in this kit and scored with one of the final touches of the campaign to give Arsenal the league.
Another famous away top (and recently recreated) is the 1991/93 “Bruised Banana” kit. A jersey that many hated at first glance until club legend Ian Wright buried the EPL in goals while wearing it. Oh, not to mention they won the FA Cup in it, as well.
The next season, the club’s first all-blue top-to-bottom jersey would be introduced, combining the bright and navy blues used throughout the club’s history.
ARSENAL JERSEY MANUFACTURERS
The proud North London club have crossed paths with all of the largest kit suppliers around the globe, but they’ve settled for adidas twice and still wear their kits today.
- Umbro - 1971-1986
- Adidas - 1986-1994
- Nike - 1994-2014
- PUMA - 2014-2019
- Adidas - 2019-present
ARSENAL JERSEY SPONSORS
A kit of few shirt sponsors, Arsenal’s savvy selection of logos and decades of success have combined for some true classics. The JVC kits will be remembered for 80s 90s triumph, then the video game era arose, followed by the Invincible O2 and the long-standing Fly Emirates.
- 1981-2000 - JVC
- 2000-2002 - Dreamcast
- 2001-2006 - O2
- 2006 - present - Fly Emirates
