The first round of midweek fixtures of the 2023/24 season have been completed and just like Amazon’s Sub Counter, we want to take Kit Reviews the next level… so here is the review of Matchweek 15 Kits!
As always you can find last week Matchweek’s review – here
The current Kit Overview for Premier League is below, we now have all 60 shirts released… still waiting for confirmation of the shorts that will be used with Luton Town’s 3rd.
Matchweek 15 Fixtures
Total Kits Used
Kits Worn in Total – 79 (+2 from Matchweek 14)
Goalkeeper Kits – 54 (No change from Matchweek 14)
New Kits this Matchweek
A couple more new kit looks on show through this round of fixtures/
Burnley used their third kit for the first time this season at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a nice alternative kit for Burnley with a touch of the Sky Blue within the body of the shirt.
Liverpool used their purple 3rd kit for the first time in the League this season at Sheffield United, having worn it in the Europa League once this season.
Kit Highlights
Manchester City are now the only team that have worn just two kits so far this season, with Home being worn 11 times and Away 4 times!
“Sock Watch”, with Manchester United again used the Teamwear socks with the new Adidas logo this has now been used 5 times in a row (with Home Kit).
My favourite Kit Match Up of this round of fixtures, was the clash between Everton and Newcastle United, a classic look for both teams, especially with Newcastle United in their alternative black socks!
Kit Stats
Overall we have seen 14 Home Kits, 3 Away Kits and 3 3rd kits in action in this Matchweek.
There were two Kit Variations on show…
Manchester United in Teamwear (new Adidas Logo) black socks with their Home Kit, the 5th time this has been used
Newcastle United in alternative black socks with their Home Kit, the 2nd time used this season, first being in MW2
Kit Grid – Up to 8th December
Kit News
Bukayo Saka made his 200th Appearence for Arsenal in their visit to Luton Town on 5th December, to mark the occasion his shirt contained “200” inside the collar… thanks to @ArsenalShirt for highlighting this!
It is another quiet week on the Premier League Kit News, a few leaked kits coming through but as previously mentioned we will not share these until it the offical kit launches but they can found easily if you look for them!
That wraps up Matchweek 15, the first midweek fixtures of the season and we will back early next week with MW16!!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or at @Kit_Geek
We are now in double figures for Matchweeks and over a quarter of the way through the season as Matchweek 10 is now completed.
As always you can find last week Matchweek’s review – here
The current Kit Overview for Premier League is below, we now have all 60 shirts released… still waiting for confirmation of the shorts that will be used with Luton Town’s 3rd.
Matchweek 10 Fixtures
Total Kits Used
Kits Worn in Total – 64 (+4 from Matchweek 9)
Goalkeeper Kits – 50 (+3 from Matchweek 9)
New Kits this Matchweek
For the second Matchweek in a row, there were four new kit looks on show….
Sheffield United made an interesting Kit Choice to their visit to Arsenal, going for the first time this season with their light grey / off white 3rd kit paired with alternative red socks… The Blades have gone with their Yellow Away Kit for all their games on the road this season and maybe this would have been a better choice this week, as this look did create somewhat of an overall clash!
Newcastle United used their Away Kit in its default (Green / White / Green) look for the first time this season at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Everton used their wonderful 3rd Kit for the first time in their victory at West Ham United, the kit is part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration for Hummel and is a variation of their classic “Mexico” design. I wrote a detailed piece on all those kits which you can find here!
Fulham complete the new outfield kits on show this week, debutting their neon pink Away Kit at Brighton & Hove Albion, a kit ot brighten up those dreary winter days…!
There were also three new goalkeeper used for the first time this weekend… with Chelsea using the green version of the Nike Template for the first time and in the game at The London Stadium saw both Keepers in new kits, with West Ham United using the Pink Umbro template as seen by all Umbro Teams in the Premier League now and Everton moving from their green keeper kit for the first time this season by using their Black / Blue alternative kit!
This takes up to 50 Goalkeeper Used this season so far.
Kit Highlights
We will start as always with Manchester United “Sock Watch”, this weekend in the Manchester Derby it was a return the most recent Adidas Teamwear socks, with just the Adidas Logo… this was the 2nd time they have worn these socks with their Home Kit.
Liverpool have worn their Home Kit in their opening TEN GAMES, so currently have the longest running Kit Streak in the Premier League.
My favourite Kit Match Up of the weekend was the game between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham, although the Brighton Home Kit is not one of my favourite kits of the season, the match up with the vibriant Fulham Away gave us a nice balance in kit looks and for me just worked well on the eye!
Kit Stats
Overall we have seen 13 Home Kits, 5 Away Kits and 2 3rd kits in action in this Matchweek, this was the second week in a row that we have seen this breakdown.
However there was one Home, Away and 3rd Kit Variation on show this weekend!
Manchester United, Home with Teamwear Socks (New Logo)
Luton Town, Away with Home Shorts & Socks, 2nd Time this variation has been used this season
Sheffield United, 3rd with alternative red socks.
As mentioned above Liverpool have now worn their Home Kit for all 10 games so far, therefore using just the one kit this season! This run is likely to end next weekend when they visit Luton Town so a change kit will be used there.
Sheffield United have used change kits in all five their Away games this season, using their Away kit four times and 3rd kit for the first time this weekend!
Kit Grid – Up to 30th October
Kit News
The Arsenal x Maharishi collection was released in the last week, Maharishi were founded in London in 1994 and are known for using camouflage as in the heart of their designs. Another example of The North Londoners branching their “kits” across from the standard playing and training gear, with these items likely to be used as Pre-Match kit.
To the other side of North London, Tottenham Hotspur launched their “Legacy” Number initiative for their kits, this is wear players wear a unique number on their kit, the number represents their place in order of players to represent the club, something originally seen in Cricket and recently seen used by England National Football Team as well… will more clubs follow this lead, time will tell?
The Numbers will be on the back of the shirts, above the players name – See “805” for Son below!
That wraps up Matchweek 10 plenty new kits on show and some interesting Kit News for the week.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or at @Kit_Geek and Matchweek Kit Review will return next week.
Matchweek 4 is now complete and we have made past the Transfer Deadline Day and to the first International Break of the season, all 20 teams were in action this weekend and again we have some Kit talking points.
This is the fourth weekly review of the kits in the Premier League, you can find last week’s here
The current Kit Overview for Premier League is below, we now have 58 out of the 60 Kits released so far… just 2 to go…Chelsea and Luton Town 3rd Kits.
Matchweek 4 Fixtures
Total Kits Used
Kits Worn in Total – 42 (+5 from Matchweek 3)
Goalkeeper Kits – 40 (+5 from Matchweek 3)
New Kits this Matchweek
There were another 5 new kit looks on show this weekend…
Aston Villa – Default Away Kit Look
AFC Bournemouth – 3rd Kit
Fulham – 3rd Kit
Manchester United – Away Kit
Newcastle United – Away Kit with Home socks (white)
5 New Goalkeeper Kits:
Burnley (Pink)
Manchester United (Yellow)
Sheffield United (Black)
Tottenham Hotspur (Yellow)
West Ham United (Yellow)
Kit Highlights
Two teams, Aston Villa and Manchester United have worn 4 kits in the opening 4 fixtures of the season…
Aston Villa, in two home kit looks (different socks) and two away kit (different shorts).
Manchester United in three Home Kit Looks (Alternative Shorts / Socks used) and 3rd Kit.
Staying with Manchester United and their game with Arsenal once again brought up the issue of “red / green” kit clashes and their impact on colour blind football fans, fellow Co-Host of Football Kit Podcast Denis from Musuem of Jerseys showed the impact of this on those fans (1 in 12 Male and 1 in 200 Female) with this powerful graphic to show the kit clash.
My favourite kit match up of the weekend was the game between Manchester City and Fulham, Fulham in their 3rd kit for the first time and together with Manchester City’s home kit gave a nice balance of colours on show.
Kit Stats
Overall we have seen 13 Home Kits, 5 Away Kits and for the first time this season more than one 3rd kit, with 2 seen in action. There were just two kit variations used, both away kits.
Tottenham Hotspur who used home socks with their away for the 2nd time this season
Newcastle United who also used home socks (white) in their first use of their away kit in Premier League
There are still four teams who have only worn 1 kit this season
Brighton and Hove Albion
Burnley
Chelsea
Liverpool
And just two teams who have used just 1 Goalkeeper kit
Brighton and Hove Albion
Everton
This means that Brighton and Hove Albion are the only team this season to use the same kit look for whole team in the opening four games of the season.
Kit Grid – Up to 28th August
Kit News
There were four kit launches over the past week.
Chelsea Away kit, an interesting black kit with blue pattern.
Everton 3rd Kit, part of the 100 Year Hummel celebrations and many of their teams having verisons of their famous “Mexico” template and return of the simple “Prince Rupert’s Tower” which was also seen on their 3rd Kit from last season.
Fulham 3rd Kit, it had been rumoured all summer that Fulham would use their away kit from last season as their 3rd kit for this year, so the release of a new third kit took a lot people by surprise but have delivered a really nice black kit with pink details and will have alternative pink shorts and socks for plenty of kit options…. interesting it’s a different shade of pink seen in the away kit, I would have thought similar shades would have been used to mix / match away and 3rd kits.
Tottenham Hotspur 3rd kit, an interesting choice of colour Spurs’ 3rd kit this season, described as “natural tone” in colour, it appears to be almost a pale brown which is a colour that has some history with Tottenham kits.
Finally we got confirmation from last week’s teasing information that Adidas will return to produce Newcastle United kits from next season, news that has seemed to delight fans and kit lovers alike.
There we have it, all of Kit thoughts from this weekend.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or at @Kit_Geek and Matchweek 4 Review will be published after next round of games after the International Break
The 2022 / 23 Premier League season ended on Sunday 28th May 2023 with Manchester City securing their 3rd Premier League in a row with 3 games still to play. At the foot of the table, Everton survivied with a final day victory which means that Leicester City and Leeds United will be joining already relegated Southampton.
As the season has ended, I will follow my tradition of taking a more in depth look into the kits worn through this season, some stats and information behind these kits.
Kit Stats
760 Kits worn (380 Games)
Home Kit used 73% of the time (67% Default, 6% Variations)
Away Kit used 15% of the time (12% Default, 3% Variations)
3rd Kit used 12% of the time (9% Default, 3% Variations)
109 different Kit Variations worn by the 20 teams
Home Kits – 43.1% of total Kit Variations used:
25 Home Kits worn (5 teams wearing 23/24 Home Kit this season)
22 Home Kit variations used
Away Kits – 29.4% of total Kit Variations used:
19 Away Kits worn
13 Away Kit variations used
Aston Villa did not use registered Away kit, wearing 2 different variation
3rd Kits – 26.6% of total Kit Variations used:
19 3rd Kits used
10 3rd Kit variations used
Manchester United did not use registered 3rd kit, wearing alternative shorts
Goalkeeper Kits:
68 Goalkeeper used
2 Teams (Liverpool and Manchester City) in 5 different Goalkeeper Kits
4 Teams in 4 Goalkeeper Kits (Arsenal / Leicester City / Liverpool in 23/24 GK Kits)
Overview of Kits Used
Kit Overview
Kit Log, Match 1 to Match 19
Kit Log, Match 20 to Match 38
Kit Variations
Looking in more detail at the Kit Variations worn by the Premier League Teams:
Two Teams in 9 Kit variations
Manchester United – Home Kit x6, Away Kit x2, 3rd Kit
Newcastle United – Home Kit x3, Away Kit x3, 3rd Kit x2, 4th Kit
Two Teams in 8 Kit variations
Leeds United – Home Kits x2, Away Kit x2, 3rd Kit x4
Southampton – Home Kit x4, Away Kit x3, 3rd Kit
West Ham United in 7 Kit variations – Home Kit x3, Away Kit x2, 3rd Kit x2
Arsenal – Home Kit x2 (including 23/24 Kit), Away Kit x2, 3rd Kit
Liverpool – Home Kit x2 (including 23/24 Kit), Away Kit, 3rd Kit x2
Four Teams in 4 Kit variations
Four Teams in 3 Kit variations
Most variations of Home Kit – 6
Manchester United
Most variatons of Away Kit – 3
Newcastle United
Southampton
Most variations of 3rd Kit – 4:
Leeds United
Six Teams did not wear any Kit Variations, just default Home, Away or 3rd Kits
AFC Bournemouth
Brentford
Leicester City (Including 23/24 Home Kit)
Manchester City (Including 23/24 Home Kit)
Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Most worn Home Kit – 31, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Most worn Away Kit – 9, Nottingham Forest
Most worn 3rd Kit – 9, Brentford and Manchester City
Most worn 4th Kit – 1, Newcastle United
Liverpool and Manchester City used 5 Goalkeeper Kit variations including 23/24 GK Kits
Most worn GK Kit – 31, Tottenham Hotspur (Yellow GK Kit)
Kit Grid
Below is a graphic of what kits where worn against what teams, its one that I share on a weekly basis on my Twitter Account – @Kit_Geek
Kit Tables
One area I like to look at is a team’s performance in their kit, I have created the below tables (Home, Away and 3rd Kit), all shirt variations are included in each section, e.g. Manchester United’s 6 Home Kit variations are all included in the “Home Kit” Table and based on “Points per Game” used ratio.
Home Kits
No surprises at the top of table, with Manchester City heading the table up with 2.48 points per game in their Home Kit, followed by Arsenal (2.31) and Manchester United (2.21). Both Manchester Clubs scoring 62 Points in Home Kits.
Chelsea can sum up their disappointing season by scoring less 1 point per game (0.93), only managing 28 points in their 30 games in their home kit, one of four teams (Everton, Leicester City and Southampton) in managing less than 1 point per game.
Away Kits
Newcastle United’s Champions League qualifying season was supported by their performance in their Navy Away kit, worn in 3 different variations The Magpies managed 2.67 points per game in their 6 games.
Arsenal scored the most points in an Away Kit, they managed 18 points in their two away kit looks which was used across 10 games in total.
Only 7 teams managed more than 1 point per game, with Everton who only secured their Premier League status on the final game scored 1.4 points per game in their away kit and remained unbeated in their two away kit looks this season.
Fulham, who used their away kit 3 times, did not manage to score any points in these games.
3rd Kits
Rumour has it that Mikel Arteta did not like the Arsenal Pink 3rd kit this season, however in its two appearences they won both games giving the kit a maximum 3 points per game.
Champions Manchester City, who were the joint highest wearers of a 3rd kit this season score 20 points in total, finishing 2.22 points per game.
Fulham were more productive in their 3rd kit, were the 4th highest points per game scorers in 3rd kits, with a total of 9 points won in 5 games wearing 2 variations of their 3rd Kit.
There were 3 teams that did not score any points in their 3rd Kit (Leeds United x5, Southampton, x5 and Nottingham Forest x2).
Summary and Highlights
There were plenty of discussion points through the season with the kits used, some of the highlights for me are the following:
Lets start with Manchester United, who wore a staggering 6 variations of their Home Kit, the key to this was the socks… they started the season using alternative black away socks and it was not until teams returned from the World Cup on 27th December where the default Home Socks were finally used… see the difference in the socks below? One of the Kit Mysteries of 2022/23 Season
The other four looks for Manchester United were…
As briefly mentioned above, another Kit Mystery for the season is Arsenal 3rd Kit, initally popular with fans when it was first released, however it only made two appearences this season (both victories) and was used in two of Arsenal’s first three games, so its final use in the Premier League was on 20th August in the game against Bournemouth… rumour was the Mikel Arteta did not like the kit but there is no confirmation of that!
Newcastle United ended the season unbeaten in their change kits, they played a total of 12 games in change kits.
6 games in Away Kit (3 Variations)
5 games in 3rd Kit (2 Variations)
1 game in 4th Kit
Leeds United, ended the season with the most variations of a 3rd Kit, using 4 different looks in just 5 games unfortunatley not scoring a point in any of these looks but as a Kit Geek, I did enjoy they use of this kit!
This season was the first since 2019/20 where a 4th Kit was used. However Newcastle United’s 4th was not a traditonal 4th Kit but a training shirt that was matched prepared and partnered with Home Shorts and Socks, the reason being that their designated kits of this season were all considered to clash when they visited Brighton & Hove Albion in just the second game week of the season and their first away game!
Crystal Palace did not use their 3rd Kit in the Premier League in 2021/22 season and it took until their 23rd game of this season against Brentford in February to wear one this time, a total of 651 days and 64 League games between wearing 3rd Kits (both Black with Red / Blue details).
There were some interesting Kit Mash Ups used this season…
Arsenal, using grey Goalkeeper Socks with their Black Away kit… a look they used three times against Manchester United, Liverpool and Brentford!
When Manchester City visited Crystal Palace, their goalkeeper socks were considered a clash with Crystal Palace’s, so Ederson took to the field in white outfied away socks of Palace!!
Leeds United, followed a similar look to Arsenal when they played Manchester United with their Goalkeeper look using grey socks with their black keeper kit, they wore this look in both games against Manchester United… which were in the space of 4 days!
There we have it, The Premier Leagues’s End of Season Kit report for 2022/23, please let me know your favourite kit highlights from this division on the comments below or over at Twitter – @Kit_Geek
Time for Issue Number 10 of The Heat Press – a brief roundup of news in the Kit World and Kit Community, to catch up on Issue 9 click here
The Headlines
Boreham Wood FA Cup Kit
Cheslea World Club Champions
Luton Town Sponsorship
Schalke 04 Sponorship change
Boreham Wood FA Cup Kit
Boreham Wood the final Non League Team left in the 2021/22 FA Cup are facing Premier League side Everton in The Fifth Round of the competition on Thursday 3rd March. Due to a clash between Boreham Wood’s Home Kit (all white) and Away Kit (Sky Blue) with Everton’s Blue / White Home kit and new 3rd Kit has been comissioned for the game. In a gesture to their opponents Everton offered to cover the costs of the new kit to support the club.
The kit may look familar, this is same template used by Manchester City and Crystal Palace Goalkeepers. Full details of the story can be found on Boreham Wood’s website here
Cheslea World Club Champions
After winning the World Club Championship, Chelsea took to the field in the Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Saturday 19th February sporting the “World Club Champions” badge, this is likely to be the only time we will see this badge in the Premier League based on the current Premier League rules, however it will be used in European Competitions.
My personal opinion here is that is a real shame, I believe we should be proud to have The World Champions in the Premier League and they should be allowed to wear the badge until the next competition.
Luton Town – New Sponsor
Luton Town took to the field on 19th February with a new front of shirt sponsor for their home kit. Utilita replace JB Developments for the remander of the season.
Full details can be found on Luton Town’s website here
Schalke 04 Sponsorship amendment
FC Schalke 04 have made the decision to remove their current sponsor given the global situation and the links their current sponsor has with the Russian State. They will replace the sponsor with simple wording of “SCHALKE 04” (mocked up example below from our friends at @KITmagazine_
German Newspaper BILD also replaced the sponsor with another logo in their recent publication.
And Finally….
Whats happening in the Kit Community.
I like to end each issue with some of the “going ons” within the Kit Community.
The always wonderful @KitblissNZ has followed up his 100 Greatest Football Shirt Templates countdown with a podcast to accompany the first few enteries, well worth checking out Kitbliss Podcast
It will be worth keeping an eye on what Phil Delves is up to in the coming weeks, Phil recently used this tweet to not only deliver a power message but to give a sneak peek of upcoming project, definitely watch this space here
Masters Football is returning this summer, so I put a poll out about kits, would you prefer to see teams using their current kits or sport something that was more “Retro Inspired”… the results were very much one sided and not surprising, I wonder what we will see??
Let me know your thoughts and comments and if there is any content that you would like me to share in future issues, please message me and let me know the details or use the comments field below or contact me over on @Kit_Geek on Twitter
Time for Issue Number 4 of The Heat Press – a brief roundup of news in the Kit World and Kit Community, to catch up on Issue 3 click here
The Headlines
Arsenal – #NoMoreRed
Borussia Dortmund Kit Design Competition
Micheal Olise’s FA Cup look
Barcelona’s Senyara Kit
Arsenal – #NoMoreRed
Arsenal took to the field in their Third Round FA Cup match at Nottingham Forest on Sunday 10th January in an all white kit. The Kit was used to highligh the increase in knife crime within London and sees all the red removed from the kit. I have written a more detailed piece on this kit, which can be found here – Arsenal – #NoMoreRed
Borussia Dortmund – Kit Design Competition
Borussia Dortmund are launching a competition which give fans, kit lovers and concept kit designers the opportunity to design the kit for German team for the 2023/24 seaon. Full details can be found on how to enter and to create the design, include templates here
Michael Olise’s FA Cup Look
Crystal Palace played local rivals Millwall on Saturday 8th January 2022 in FA Cup, The Eagles used their 3rd kit, a Sky Blue and White halved shirt with blue shorts and blue / white socks. This Kit was taken to another level by winger Michael Olise with his matching Nike boots, Olise topped this look off with a wonderful goal early in the second half to see his team through to the Fourth Round of FA Cup.
Barcelona’s Senyera Kit
Kit sustainabilty has been a hot topic over recent weeks, so its worth calling out the Barcelona have used their “Senyera” kit for now the fourth calendar year… first used in 2019, it has seen action in 2020, 2021 and was used in the La Liga fixture against Granada on Saturday, so now been used in 2022 as well.
And Finally….
Whats happening in the Kit Community.
I like to end each issue with some of the “going ons” within the Kit Community.
There is a new Podcast launched this week, the guys over at Kit Magazine have now released Episode 1 of their Podcast on Monday, along with some well known names in the Kit Community, this episode has a look at of the latest Kit News and in depth discussion about Forward Madison’s drip kit.
Tom, one half of the duo behind the wonderful @TheShirtUnion Twitter Account has pulled together one their handy Kit Grids for the African Cup of Nations with kicked off on 9th January, their grid show the shirts worn by each team taking part in the 2022 Competition.
The Guys over at @niclassicshirt have moved into their new premises in Newtownards, Northern Ireland and are now open for business, they were the winners of The Kitsman Award for “Best Independant Store” for 2021, all details can be found at their site for their in store and online options – https://www.niclassicshirtco.co.uk/
Let me know your thoughts and comments and if there is any content that you would like me to share in future issues, please message me and let me know the details or use the comments field below or contact me over on @Kit_Geek on Twitter
On Sunday 9th January 2022, Arsenal will be taking on Nottingham Forest in the 3rd Round of the 2021/22 FA Cup but their look for the game will be a unique one, they will be wearing an all white kit – no coloured sponsors, no coloured trim, no other colour at all.
This kit is not there for the sake of change or for any commerical gain, its being used to deliver a powerful message, the removal of red from the kit is to highlight the increasing number of knife attacks and teenager murders in London which saw more than 10,000 knife crime offences between June 2020 and June 2021.
Ian Wright one of the faces of the initiative
The campaign is being backed and promoted by Club Legend Ian Wright and Hollywood “A Lister” Idris Elba, who are promoting the work carried out by Arsenal in the Community’s work with young people in London and providing more safe, positive spaces for young people and spotlighting talented individuals who are making a positive difference in their community.
The launch of Arsenal’s No More Red Campaign can be viewed below.
𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 ⚪
Last year saw a record number of teenagers murdered in London.
It's time to make a real change, through real action.
There are some powerful videos supporting the campaign which are well worth spending a few minutes watching to understand the impact of the initiative.
Idris Elba and Ian Wright video can be viewed below.
“You can’t buy these shirts, you earn them by doing positive things.”
Working with @adidasfootball, @IdrisElba and @WrightyOfficial, our No More Red campaign is here to help young people find their passion by investing in spaces to play sport and developing mentorship programmes
As mentioned above Arsenal are not looking for any commerical gain here and as a result of this the shirts will not be available for sale but the match worn shirts will be given to those organisations who are currently working to reduce knife crime in London, these organisations are:
Arsenal in the Community
The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation
Steel Warriors
Don’t Stab Your Future (DSYF)
Box Up Crime
Copenhagen Youth Project
St Giles Trust
Abianda
Octopus Community Network
The Ben Kinsella Trust
All details can be found on Arsenal Website – click here
The shirt will have the club crest, Adidas Logo and 3 Stripes and all sponsorship in white, including a sleeve logo of “No More Red” and will be worn with white shorts and socks.
For me this is using Football Kits in the most powerful way, this initiative makes me proud to be a Kit Enthusiast and I have nothing but respect for Arsenal, Adidas and all those that are behind the campaign and bringing this to life, congratulations to you all.
The curtain on Arsene Wenger’s time as Arsenal Manager is about to come down, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back at the kits worn through out his reign in a little more detail in my own little way.
The Kit Stats
Manufacturers – 2 (Nike and Puma)
Home Kits – 15 (11 by Nike and 4 by Puma)
Away Kits – 18 (14 by Nike and 4 by Puma)
3rd Kits – 9 (5 by Nike and 4 by Puma) – this does not include 3rd shirts that were previously used as away kits.
One thing to note hear is the kit policy that Arsenal, unlike many other clubs in 1990’s and through the majority of the 2000’s had a longer life cycle for their kits, with Home kits often being used for two seasons and away kits being used as 3rd kits in following seasons, giving them also a two year life cycle.
This policy meant that during Mr Wenger’s 22 season reign, there was a total of 42 kits, where there could have been 66 used if Home, Away and 3rd kits were changed every season.
The Sponsors
1996 to 1999 – JVC
1999 to 2002 – SEGA (as Dreamcast for Home Kits, 3rd Kits and SEGA Away Kits)
2002 to 2006 – 02
2006 to 2018 – Emirates Airlines (as Fly Emirates)
Some of my Highlights
There are several kits that spring to mind over these 22 years but the special kit used for the final season played at Highbury (2005 – 06) was a real stand out, possibly as it was so different. Based on the kit worn at the club’s first season at the ground in 1913, however the was some question over whether this was the actual colour worn at that time but the 2005 version proved to be a big hit with fans and kit lovers across the Globe. The “Redcurrent” colour also proved a popular addition to the Arsenal kit palette, featuring in one form or another in home, away and 3rd kits over the next couple of seasons.
Other kits that for me are worth “honorable” mentions.
Away and 3rd Kits from 2007/08, these were two kits that had the “Redcurrent” influence and again was something different from the kits and the colours used in previous years for the club.
2012/13 Away kit, which was also registered as 3rd kit in 13/14 but I cannot find any evidence of it being used, this kit introduced purple into the Arsenal colour palette and was reminiscent in design to 2007/08 with the use of hoops (or horizontal stripes depending on your preference). Again something different and something that really stands out from the normal in terms of design.
Any kit highlights from you over the Arsene Wenger years, is there one that holds special memories, the Invincibles Season, the Champions League Final of 2006, let me know?
Football Kit Geek - @Kit_Geek 