Highbury commemorative kit Unveiled

[Will317]

BBC Sport - 21.01.05
Arsenal to change shirt colours



Arsenal will drop their traditional red and white shirt in favour of an all-claret one next season, their final campaign at Highbury.
It is the design they wore when they came to Highbury in 1913, with the white sleeves not added on until 1925.
"I think it's fantastic that we will wear a kit that represents the history of this fantastic stadium," captain Patrick Vieira told Arsenal magazine.
The champions move to new Emirates Stadium in Ashburton Grove in 2006.
Earlier this week, they overcame the final hurdle in building the new ground when several local businesses failed in an attempt to challenge a compulsory purchase order.
Arsenal have yet to decide what will happen to Highbury when they leave, but it is thought the four stands may be turned into flats, with the pitch being kept as a garden for residents.



"The front cover of this month’s Arsenal Magazine shows Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry revealing a glimpse of the commemorative kit that will become the first choice strip for next season, 2005/2006 — the Club’s last at Highbury.
Inspired by the first kit ever worn at the ground in 1913, the strip will be one of many initiatives to celebrate the Club’s time at Highbury. Club research and sporting memorabilia within the Arsenal Museum confirm the very first kit worn at the stadium was a much darker red, similar to that of Sparta Prague, who actually based their kit on Arsenal’s original kit way back in 1906. The Club is returning to this deeper shade for one season only — the very last season at Highbury — to recreate and reflect the origins of this unique stadium.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is delighted with the initiative: "It will be very emotional when we move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium and it is great that the Club is finding ways to celebrate our last season at this fantastic stadium. Personally, I love the fact the team will be wearing a home kit that is inspired by the first one ever worn at Highbury. It’s not only a way of encapsulating more than 90 years of memories, it also takes us right back to when we started at this ground in 1913."
Arsenal.com

[theman]

Cool,I'll take a better look.

www.arsenal.com

[theman]

It's a shame,you don't get a proper look.

[usa_arsenal_fan]

wow, i gott asave up to fly to london and go watch an arsenal game, not only cuz i love the team but next season is thier last at highbury, i dlove to see thier last game there but im sure i wouldn tbe able to, its gonna be packed that night

[Lance Knight]

i think its really great that they are doin this

[Mirko Mandic]

maybe liverpool should do same for leaving Anfield........ :O

[Lance Knight]

if they have a former kit to that extent

[RaulMadrid7]

It's a good thing but I will miss Highbury and all those Saturday mornings waking up to watch Arsenal in Highbury on my crappy SportsNet channel.
Anyone got picks of thier new stadium?

Good luck Arsenal.