Over the last 5 seasons, Europe’s big clubs have upped the ante on their football kit game. Paris Saint-Germain’s kit collaboration between Nike and Jordan led to the club releasing fresh and eye-catchy home, away and third kits. Moreover, this also coincided with many clubs making efforts to release limited edition kits to mark special occasions for the respective clubs. The latest example of the latter tradition would be Real Madrid releasing the Y-3 x Adidas black kit to mark the club’s 120th anniversary.
There have also been numerous kits launched by clubs that were inspired by retro designs from the past. For instance, Adidas released their Teamgeist collection for Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid etc. earlier this year which was heavily inspired by kit design patterns on shirts from 2006. Similarly, the Manchester United current away kit was designed to resemble their 1991-92 light blue kit.
It looks like Arsenal have matched United in this retro-inspired relaunch tradition as leaked images of the club’s home kit for the 2022/23 campaign suggests the same. Adidas have brought back the retro collar design for this kit which has divided opinions amongst fans.
Leaked images of the new Arsenal home kit . [@iemadAFC]. pic.twitter.com/AQIOSZFSti
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) March 20, 2022
New home shirt for Arsenal then, apparently – another collared effort. Obviously not a fan because reasons, but objectively a very nice shirt https://t.co/7QZzjPSUD9
— Jack Henderson (@hendocfc) March 20, 2022
The shirt sports a white broad collar with red stripes along with white shoulder stripes on either side. The rest of the kit is very traditionally Arsenal, having a red torso and white short sleeves. They have also retained the sponsor as Arsenal have a standing deal with Emirates that expires only at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Most Gunners fans are upset over the kit being too similar to the club’s 2019 home kit and have accused Adidas of recycling the same design from the past. Amongst those who liked the kit, the white collar-red torse combination has been appreciated as it emulates a number of retro Arsenal kits.
The kit does well to strike a balance with the retro and modern ideas associated with Arsenal and while fans are still undecided on the collar’s inclusion, the addition of the Champion’s League badge (if Arsenal can secure a top 4 finish) would surely encourage them to look past the differences and embrace the kit.
