BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Arsenal Football Club has officially unveiled its 2025/26 home kit, a striking fusion of tradition and innovation that reflects the club’s legacy while embracing a modern performance-driven future. Designed by Adidas, the new kit marks a significant return to the club’s iconic identity, with several fresh yet historically-rooted design cues woven throughout its construction.
The kit features Arsenal’s traditional red body and white sleeves, a timeless combination that has become synonymous with the North London club since the 1930s. But this season, the aesthetic goes deeper, with subtle design elements that pay homage to Arsenal’s illustrious past. Most notably, the front of the shirt is detailed with a sophisticated, tonal gradient pattern–a motif inspired by the club’s classic fit for the 1990/91 season when Arsenal famously secured the league title with just one defeat. Enhancing this heritage-inspired design is the full club crest proudly returned to the chest, replacing the lone cannon emblem seen in previous campaigns.
The chunkier crew-neck collar, last seen in the 2020/21 home strip, returns for a retro-modern look, while the front of the shirt is adorned with the word “Emirates Fly Better”–a loud and proud nod to one of the team’s major sponsors, Emirates Airlines, which has had a long-standing partnership with the club that includes front-of-shirt sponsorship and naming rights for their stadium (Emirates Stadium). Adidas–another major team sponsor and of course designer of the club kit–leaves it’s distinguished label on the front, adding an aesthetically pleasing touch to the fit.
Functionality meets fashion in the most seamless way. The authentic version of the shirt is constructed using Adidas’ cutting-edge HEAT.RDY fabric technology, ensuring players stay cool and dry even during intense competition. Strategic mesh placements, combined with 3D-engineered zones at the nape of the neck, provide added breathability and ventilation. For supporters and fans, the replica versions are also environmentally friendly, created with recycled materials in line with Adidas’ commitment to sustainability.
To complement the home shirt, the full kit is completed with white shorts and red socks, offering a clean and bold matchday look. An alternative red shorts option is available, likely to be worn for select fixtures. The goalkeeper kit offers its own visual punch, debuting in a vibrant yellow with red accents, designed to stand out while keeping with the club’s color spirit.
The launch of the 2025/26 home kit wasn’t just a release–it was a storytelling moment. Arsenal debuted the kit with an evocative video campaign titled “The Pulse of Our Club.” The film features close-up shots of players paired with the sounds of their actual heartbeats, providing a powerful sense of connection between the athletes and the heartbeat of Arsenal’s global fanbase. Internal monologues from players narrate their drive and emotional investment, grounding the campaign in authenticity and sentiment.
Fan reactions have ranged from enthusiastic praise for the kit’s throwback elements to commentary on the premium price points. The authentic long-sleeve shirt is priced at £130, with the short-sleeve variant at £120. Replica versions are slightly more affordable, coming in at £90 for the long-sleeve and £85 for the short-sleeve. Despite the pricing, the design has already been hailed as one of the club’s strongest releases in years, lauded for its balance of sentimentality and sleek modern execution.
Now available through the official Arsenal Direct store, select Adidas retail outlets, and club stores worldwide, the 2025/26 Arsenal home kit captures more than just a new season–it captures a feeling. It’s a love letter to the club’s rich history, a showcase of contemporary performance wear, and a bold visual identity for a team with eyes firmly set on future glory.
For Arsenal fans around the world, this isn’t just a jersey. It’s tradition reborn.
