Quality build, nice looking kit, covers up for 06/07?
Disadvantages:
The same as 06/07? Season to forget 'tag'? Sponsor logo material
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
As far as Arsenal away shirts are concerned, from history the yellow colour has proved to be a winner. However, the 05/06 season has proved to be a year to forget. Despite that, Arsenal has decided to stick with the same shade of yellow for the new 06/07 season.
This wouldn't be so bad if the yellow was like that of the 03/04 shirt, their then most recent outing which saw them, to great success go through the entire season unbeaten in the league. Of course these matters do not decide the outcomes. I just find that the 03/04 yellow, which looks bright and enthusiastic, makes the 05/06 shade of yellow dull and resembling faded orange.
Looking back at pictures of the Arsenal shirts over the recent years, I find that they tend to have a simple, uncluttered, clean appearance, and a sense of neatness through the symmetry of design which is more emphasized when the Arsenal badge is roughly opposite the Nike 'Swoosh' emblem. Simplicity is retained here, with the badge being is in the middle.
The 'Swoosh' symbol and Arsenal badge are embroidered as usual, however the O2 sponsor logo is now in a similar mould to the printing of names at the back. I know that the soft fabric material used in previous years are susceptible to attachment of fibres, but it make the logo stand out the way the Nike emblem and Arsenal badge do. It was also really nice to feel. Sure there is a more consistant runover from logo onto shirt, but it crumples over and seems a bit cheap in comparison. I feel that perhaps this was intended to keep the gold colour of the special home strip clean, and then to not forget to maintain some of the home and away top consistancies.
Unlike the home shirt there is no collar. The strip is adorn with a few simple black stripes; immediately around the collar, and those ever narrowing out: horizontally around the upper chest area and round it, and vertically from below around the sides.
From what I've seen of the new 07/08 away shirt, it appears identical to that of the 06/07 season except for the obvious sponsor logo change to Air Emirates. It is these similarities which would put down one of the two as an essential. Obviously between the two you might find the 06/07 one for a reduced price but depending on the outcome this season, it might be worth waiting for the shirt of a memorable season. One could easily cover for both due to a lack of real distinctiveness.
Personally, paying this kind of money you do for these vibrant coloured shirts is beyond me. This strip was a gift from my lovely aunt, who I felt a bit better about knowing that she obtained a discount on it. I'd have no doubt gone for the home strip over this, which is unique but there happened to be none left.
As you may come across, there are many who wear football shirts as a casual item of clothing, and these needn't be the most up-to-date tops either. This should be indication enough that these shirts will no doubt last a number of years. This being a Nike garment, I'm sure it will.
However there is the difference between casual wear and wear for play. I've had mines since the start of the 05/06 season and there are a few faint stains visible close up. I have worn it once for football due to it being at least a size too big because of my miscalculation. I do wear it around the house and for when I go to bed. I have other Nike Arsenal shirts that I do wear to play, and the only problems I've had is the fibres becoming attached to the sponsor logo which I touched upon earlier.
As part of the kit there are the shorts and socks, neither of which I own. These are of gray with yellow colours, such that they do not clash. I feel it even makes the strip stand out more. Hardly an outrageous move in strip design. Same boring old Arsenal eh?
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Price
£40
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