In 1886, workers in the Woolwich Arsenal armament foundry set up a football team called Dial Square. Included were ex-Nottingham Forest players who it is thought persuaded their previous club to gift a set of their red shirts which were a darker shade of red.

White sleeves were added in 1933 after it is believed the Chelsea chairman and a journalist had been impressed with the attire of a golfing opponent who wore a blue sleeveless sweater over a white shirt. The Chelsea manager turned down this idea but when the journalist suggested it to Herbert Chapman the white sleeves were immediately adopted.

Since then the only time Arsenal have changed their home strip was for the 2005-06 season. Being the last season at Highbury they decided to play in the same coloured shirts as was supposedly used for the first season at Highbury in 1913. My own research at the club did not show this up and the inclusion of the mulberry coloured shirt in which Jock Rutherford appears was at the request of the club's commercial department. It was only later that I discovered that 'proof' had been provided by the shirt manufacturers, with the above print appearing in the London 'Evening Standard' to provide authenticity to the press release photograph showing Vieira and Henry modelling the mulberry coloured shirts!

The print includes the famous 1950 and 1971 change strips used at Wembley when Arsenal won both Cup Finals. The black and white colours were used for FA Cup ties in the early 1950's.

Research was carried out in conjunction with the Club.

This print is official merchandise of Arsenal and can only be obtained from the Club. If you experience any difficulty please contact us.