GUNNERS NEW HOME KIT LAUNCH VIDEO

GUNNERS Home Kit Launch 2012/2013

Arsenal Football Club is proud to unveil its new home kit for the 2012/2013 season.

Available to pre-order from Club stores and online at www.arsenaldirect.com, the playing kit features a blue hoop detail inspired by the home kit socks worn in the 1930s under legendary manager Herbert Chapman.

As is traditional with the north London club, the world renowned red and white is the main colour way in the shirt, with a block red body and white sleeves.



Further details in the shirt include the outer back neck graphic which references the WM formation that Chapman pioneered so successfully, along with the inner back graphic which reads “Victoria, Concordia, Crescit” – the Club’s long-held motto since 1948 which translates as Victory through Harmony*.

The origins of the blue (obsidian) design features lie in Chapman’s innovative approach to the game. Arsenal manager between 1925 and 1934, his guidance took the Club to three league titles and an FA cup victory during that time.

Chapman was a modernising tactician, advocated the use of numbered shirts and white balls, and also made significant changes to the Club’s kit for the 1933/34 season. In that year white sleeves were added to the previously all-red shirt and blue hoops were also introduced to the socks. Chapman’s rationale for these innovations was he wanted to maximise player visibility, making it easier for his players to pick each other out on the field of play.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott commented: “The players always get excited about trying on kits for the first time, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Arsenal is a club with an incredible history and to see this recognised in such a classy and modern kit is brilliant.”

The shirt’s crest reverts back to Arsenal’s primary design, having sported a unique 125th anniversary version for the 2011/12 season.

The kit will be used for two seasons and is available for pre-order from Monday, May 7. It will be available in stores from June 7. Anyone ordering the kit from an Arsenal retail channel will receive a limited edition collector’s box and back pack (while stocks last).

There is also the chance to win a Citroen DS3** featured in the exclusive kit shoot video which can be seen by clicking the image above. Supporters can also see the car in the Armoury Store from Tuesday, May 8. Adult shirts are priced from £45 with youth shirts from £35, available for pre-order at www.arsenaldirect.com.

*Victoria Concordia Crescit detail is not featured in infants and little boys’ home kits (sold as a shirt, shorts and socks complete set)

** Entrants must be over 18, have a full current UK driving licence and be a resident of the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. Valid on pre-orders received by June 6, 2012. Car featured for illustrative purposes only. See in store or www.arsenal.com/winacitroen for full terms and conditions.

Kit partner Nike have invested substantial time in analysing athletes from across the word to modify the ergonomic fit of the kit, and the 2012/13 shirt features a double knit construction which has 210 per cent more stretch and is 21 per cent stronger than fabric used in previous Nike kits, with each shirt weighing in at 145g. Additional design details that contribute to these improvements include lightweight breathable crests, laser cut ventilated holes and amplified seam T bars for added strength.