Football jersey history · Arsenal
A red body and white sleeves: the Arsenal jersey has a silhouette you recognise before reading the sponsor. Yet the Gunners have not always worn this design. Its history helps you understand what you are looking at in a collection: a tradition, a seasonal variation or a tribute to Highbury. Here are the details that make an Arsenal football jersey interesting beyond the name on the back.
Why does the Arsenal jersey have white sleeves?
The turning point was 4 March 1933, when the new kit was worn against Liverpool. The Arsenal History Society places the change within Herbert Chapman’s wish to give his team a distinctive appearance. White sleeves turned a red kit into a much more recognisable silhouette.
Accounts of what gave Chapman the idea do not all agree. A study of the sleeves by Museum of Jerseys compares different stories and documents. It is better to remember the date and the design change than to present a tale about a spectator or a round of golf as an established fact.
For a collector, the point is practical: the sleeves belong to the home jersey’s overall identity. They are not an authenticity test, however. A counterfeit can reproduce the correct colours, while an official design can change how those colours are distributed. The context of the season is essential.
The red colour and Nottingham Forest: a story that needs care
The story of Nottingham Forest donating jerseys is often repeated. However, Arsenal itself challenges it: Fred Beardsley reportedly suggested red, but David Danskin’s account describes kits purchased in Woolwich. A personal connection with Forest does not establish that a donation happened.
This distinction matters when describing an old piece. An appealing story can circulate for decades without being firmly established. In your collection notes, separate documented information from stories passed down. That applies to the origin of a colour just as much as to a claim that a particular jersey was worn in a match.
A recognisable identity, not an unchanging design
Compare two red-and-white home jerseys while mentally hiding their sponsors. Look at the collar shape, the boundary between the body and shoulders, the cuffs and the fabric pattern. These differences help you build a coherent collection without buying several pieces that tell exactly the same story. One might favour simplicity; another might reveal a pattern only when viewed closely.
The 2005/06 season provides a famous exception: Arsenal chose a dark red, “redcurrant” jersey for their final season at Highbury. The club’s 2005 annual report introduces this commemorative kit. It is a reminder that a departure from white sleeves can also celebrate the club’s history.
Watch the terminology in listings: home, away and third refer to different kits. A yellow, blue or other coloured jersey should not be assessed using the same visual expectations as the home design. Identify the exact model before deciding what “should” be red or white.
2019/20: spotting the adidas return in the details
The adidas announcement from July 2019 presents the 2019/20 home kit as the start of a new partnership with Arsenal. A red body, white sleeves and contrasting collar place the design clearly within that tradition.
The Arsenal 2019/20 home jersey listing lets you inspect an actual example. At the time of writing, the store describes it as a Fan version in size M, without a name or number, with reference EH5637. These details concern this individual piece; they should not be applied to every version of the model.
A blank back is appealing if you want the design to be the focus of your collection. You can compare the finishes without a player’s name immediately shaping your choice. If you intend to wear it, ask for flat measurements too: the same size letter does not guarantee an identical fit across seasons.
2020/21: Highbury appears in the fabric too
For the 2020/21 home jersey, adidas explains the Art Deco inspiration behind the chevrons: the “A” in an old crest and floor tiles in the halls of Highbury’s East Stand. The pattern adds another story within the red-and-white silhouette.
The 2020/21 home jersey with Saka #7 listed in the store offers a comparison with the 2019/20 design. Examine the front for the pattern, then the back for the name and number. Saka #7 does not mean the individual jersey was worn by the player: a personalised fan jersey and a match-worn jersey are different categories.
If the printing influences your choice, ask about its origin and when it was applied, where that information is known. Our article on official and reproduction namesets explores these questions. The history of a model and the provenance of an individual object should remain separate.
Vintage Arsenal jersey or reissue: what are you collecting?
An old design can return on a new garment. In October 2025, adidas announced a reissue of Arsenal’s 1992–1994 home jersey. “Official” and “made in the 1990s” therefore do not mean the same thing.
Choose according to what you want from the piece. An original from the season might appeal for its age and history; an official reissue, for the pleasure of wearing a historical design. Neither aim is less worthwhile, but the description must be clear. Ask for photographs of the labels and the actual garment, then compare several clues rather than relying on one detail. This distinction is useful whether you search for a vintage Arsenal jersey or a classic Arsenal football shirt.
Three questions before choosing your next Arsenal piece
- Which story do you want to keep? A period, a design, a player or the memory of a match? This gives your collection a direction.
- What object is actually being sold? Check the season, version, printing and distinction between an original and a reissue.
- Do its condition and size suit your plans? Compare measurements if you intend to wear it. For display, also inspect marks, seams and printed areas.
You can then consult our guide to buying a second-hand football jersey. A good story makes a piece worth a closer look; its photographs and description help you decide whether it is right for you.
To compare designs and individual examples, explore the Maillots Market Arsenal jersey collection. Take time to look at the front, back and small details: that is often where the enjoyment of collecting begins.
Product listings checked on 17 October 2026. Check each listing for current condition details and availability. The thumbnail is an editorial illustration, not a product photograph or an exact reconstruction of a 1933 jersey.
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