- The club has labeled the launch as ‘the year of the cannon’, which is reflected on the kit
- Strip was previously mocked by rival fans for its design prior to launch
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal players will feel SICK if they don’t win the title… I wonder if they can go again next year – Listen to the It all starts! podcast
Arsenal have confirmed the launch of their new home kit, with the club crest replaced by a cannon for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
The club unveiled the strip on Thursday morning, marking next season as ‘the year of the cannon’, in a short video explaining the relationship between the machinery and the club.
A story can be heard in the video: ‘Some things never leave us, wherever we go. Our cannon, our compass, guides us forward as one. On and on and on.’
The strip is of course red, the sleeves white with blue stripes along the arms. The logo, manufacturer and sponsor are white, although the Gunners will have to wait and see what color the Premier League logo will be on the sleeve as the title race heads to the final day.
Rival supporters had previously mocked the kit’s appearance, arguing that most of the strip had a ‘little bottle design in the middle’.
Arsenal have launched their new home kit for the upcoming season, with the club crest replaced by a cannon
The likes of Gabriel Martinelli (left) were featured in a short video explaining the machine’s importance at launch
The club have dubbed the new season ‘the year of the cannon’ with shirts costing £80
The video featured a number of flags, including the cannon, while Gabriel Martinelli waved a giant flag of his own on the Emirates grounds.
Lotte Wubben-Moy can also be seen in the stands on the ground donning the new strip as she unveils a huge flag, with Bukayo Saka turned on on the big screen and Beth Mead painting one of the walls in the ground.
Later in the video we see the likes of Alessia Russo and Martin Odegaard showing off the shirt.
At the launch of the kit, Arsenal wrote on their club website: ‘The debut of our new home kit is accompanied by our film, which explores the passion evoked by the iconic Arsenal cannon.
‘Featuring the stars of the first team, the launch film features our players in key locations around the Emirates Stadium – from the electric North Bank to the home dressing room – and explores what the famous symbol means to both our players and supporters.
‘The home kit is built for performance and to give our players the confidence to play under pressure. This lightweight shirt features the latest adidas technology and has been created in close collaboration with the Arsenal men’s and women’s teams.’
The kit was immediately put on sale, priced at £80 for the regular home shirts and £85 for the long sleeve versions.
Authentic shirts, meanwhile, cost £100 with the kit going on sale immediately after the video
Rival fans had previously mocked the comic because its front allegedly looked like ‘a small bottle’
The club said the launch video ‘features our players in key sights around the Emirates Stadium’
Authentic shirts cost £110, with shorts costing £38, authentic shorts £45 and a children’s shirt £55.
Children’s shorts, a mini home kit and socks are also available.
The website also features the new goalkeeper shirt, which is expected to be worn by David Raya as he looks to make his move from Brentford permanent.
The goalkeeper shirt has a mix of yellow and orange colours, with the sponsor being black, manufacturer and cannon white and orange stripes.