Ranking the Best & Worst Arsenal Kits of the 21st Century: From Iconic Classics to Fashion Disasters
Arsenal Football Club has produced some of the most iconic and, at times, controversial kits in football history. From unforgettable classics to designs fans would rather forget, the club’s shirts have sparked endless debates among supporters. In this article, we present the Best & Worst Arsenal Kits of the 21st Century Ranked, celebrating the designs that became instant fan favorites and calling out those that missed the mark. Whether you’re reminiscing about the Highbury gold-trim farewell kit or cringing at the marble-inspired third shirt, this ultimate kit ranking has every Gooner covered.
The 5 Best Arsenal Kits of the 21st Century
1. 2005/06 Home Kit – Highbury Farewell Gold Trim
- Why it’s iconic: Designed to mark Arsenal’s final season at Highbury, this deep red kit with gold accents paid tribute to the club’s storied history at the famous stadium. It stood out as a bold departure from the traditional bright red and white but quickly became a timeless classic.
- Memorable moments: Thierry Henry’s unforgettable hat-trick against Wigan on the final day of the season, kissing the Highbury turf after securing Champions League qualification, is forever etched in Arsenal folklore.
- Fan sentiment: Universally adored by Gunners fans, this kit symbolizes both nostalgia and elegance, making it a must-have for collectors.
- Legacy Factor: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (5/5)
2. 91/93 Away Kit – The Original ‘Bruised Banana’
- Why it’s iconic: Instantly recognizable for its bold yellow and navy zigzag pattern, the 91/93 Away Kit—dubbed the ‘Bruised Banana’—has transcended its controversial debut to become a cult classic. Initially divisive among fans, it is now widely celebrated as one of the greatest football kits ever made.
- Memorable moments: Ian Wright’s blistering start to life at Arsenal, netting on his debut and quickly becoming a fan favorite. This shirt also witnessed Arsenal lifting the 1993 League Cup and FA Cup double.
- Fan sentiment: Once mocked, now revered. The Bruised Banana represents 90s football culture and remains a fashion statement beyond the pitch.
- Legacy Factor: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (5/5)
3. 2019/20 Home Kit – Adidas Returns
- Why it’s iconic: Marking Adidas’ return as Arsenal’s kit manufacturer after 25 years, this shirt masterfully blended retro inspiration with modern design. The classic red body with white sleeves was elevated by subtle white and navy trim, evoking memories of Arsenal’s vintage Adidas kits from the late 80s and early 90s.
- Memorable moments: Arsenal’s 14th FA Cup triumph, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace against Chelsea in the final, cemented this kit’s place in Gunners folklore. It also signaled the start of Mikel Arteta’s managerial era.
- Fan sentiment: Hugely popular from launch, this kit is celebrated as one of Arsenal’s best modern home shirts, often praised for Adidas’ attention to detail and respect for the club’s heritage.
- Legacy Factor: 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (4/5)
4. 2001/02 Away Kit – Gold & Blue Glory
- Why it’s iconic: Arsenal’s gold away kit for the 2001/02 season became the stuff of legend, thanks to its bold color choice and the unforgettable success it accompanied. The gold base, complemented by navy blue accents and the iconic O2 sponsor, stood out as a sleek and daring design.
- Memorable moments: This shirt was worn on one of Arsenal’s greatest nights—winning the Premier League at Old Trafford after Sylvain Wiltord’s famous goal. It also saw Arsène Wenger’s side secure the domestic double, with an FA Cup triumph over Chelsea.
- Fan sentiment: Universally adored, this kit is often considered one of the greatest Arsenal away kits of all time, cherished for its association with glory and dominance under Wenger.
- Legacy Factor: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (5/5)
5. 2010/11 Home Kit – Classic Simplicity
- Why it’s iconic: Sometimes, less is more, and the 2010/11 home kit embodied this principle perfectly. Arsenal returned to their roots with a clean, classic red shirt, white sleeves, and minimal detailing. The design respected the club’s traditions while embracing a sleek, modern aesthetic.
- Memorable moments: This kit was worn during Jack Wilshere’s breakthrough season, including his masterclass against Barcelona at the Emirates, a night that reminded fans of Arsenal’s trademark style under Wenger.
- Fan sentiment: Praised for its timeless simplicity, this shirt is fondly remembered as “what an Arsenal home kit should always look like”—pure, red-and-white elegance.
- Legacy Factor: 🏆🏆🏆 (3/5)
Honourable Mentions
2023/24 Away Kit – Electric Yellow Boldness
- Why it stands out: A daring neon-yellow base with subtle black patterning, this modern take divided fans at launch but quickly became a favorite among younger supporters.
- Key moments: Arsenal’s title charge under Mikel Arteta saw this kit become associated with the Gunners’ return to Premier League contention.
- Fan verdict: Bold, divisive—but undeniably memorable.
2011/12 Away Kit – Purple & Black Hoops
- Why it stands out: Initially met with skepticism, this kit’s purple and black horizontal stripes developed a cult following over time.
- Key moments: Robin van Persie’s sensational goal-scoring season, including his volley against Everton, was immortalized in this shirt.
- Fan verdict: Once mocked, now cherished as a quirky cult classic.
2007/08 Third Kit – White with Gold Trim
- Why it stands out: Arsenal’s rare foray into an all-white kit with gold accents resulted in one of the most aesthetically clean designs of the Emirates era.
- Key moments: Cesc Fàbregas orchestrating midfield dominance, leading Arsenal into a Premier League title challenge that ultimately fell short.
- Fan verdict: Sleek, classy—“the Fàbregas kit” in many fans’ minds.
The 5 Worst Arsenal Kits of the 21st Century
1. 2016/17 Home Kit – The Red Stripe Confusion
- Why it flopped: This kit is often criticized for a baffling darker red stripe running vertically down the centre, disrupting Arsenal’s classic red-and-white aesthetic. While Puma aimed for a modern twist, fans largely rejected it as an unnecessary tampering with tradition.
- Memorable moments: Unfortunately, the kit is best remembered for the toxic atmosphere during Wenger’s final turbulent years, rather than on-field success.
- Fan sentiment: “Looks like a training top.”
- Legacy Factor: ❌❌ (2/5)
2. 2013/14 Away Kit – Yellow & Blue Mishap
- Why it flopped: Intended to pay homage to Arsenal’s classic yellow and blue away colors, this kit was let down by its cheap-looking template and clashing navy collar. The odd button-up neck detail also left fans divided.
- Memorable moments: Arsenal’s infamous 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wenger’s 1,000th game casts a dark shadow over this design.
- Fan sentiment: “Forgettable and uninspired.”
- Legacy Factor: ❌❌ (2/5)
3. 2008/09 Away Kit – Navy & Green Oddity
- Why it flopped: Arsenal took a bizarre turn with a navy blue and teal-green combo, which felt more like a goalkeeper kit than an outfield strip. It failed to resonate with fans, lacking any clear link to the club’s history.
- Memorable moments: Struggles in the league and Champions League heartbreak against Manchester United sealed its fate.
- Fan sentiment: “Did we borrow it from Norwich?”
- Legacy Factor: ❌ (1/5)
4. 2020/21 Third Kit – Marble Disaster
- Why it flopped: Designed to pay tribute to the marble halls of Highbury, this kit’s pinkish-white base with red smudges ended up resembling a blood-splattered shirt to many fans. While conceptually ambitious, the execution missed the mark.
- Memorable moments: The inconsistent performances under Arteta, including a 15th-place slump before the Boxing Day revival, became intertwined with this design’s divisive reception.
- Fan sentiment: “Looks like a crime scene.”
- Legacy Factor: ❌❌❌ (1/5)
5. 2003/04 Away Kit – The O2 Blue Blob
- Why it flopped: While Arsenal’s Invincibles season is immortalized, this navy blue away kit with a giant O2 sponsor logo failed to win hearts. The oversized sponsor dominated the shirt, overshadowing any design elegance.
- Memorable moments: Despite the Invincible achievement, this kit is rarely cherished, as most fans connect the glory with the iconic home red shirt instead.
- Fan sentiment: “Why is O2 bigger than the badge?”
- Legacy Factor: ❌❌ (2/5)
Honourable Mentions
2012/13 Away Kit – Purple and Black Gradient
- Why it stands out: Arsenal experimented with purple and black hoops, blending tradition with modern boldness. Initially ridiculed, it has since gained a cult following for its uniqueness.
- Key moments: Cazorla’s hat-trick vs Reading in this kit remains a rare highlight.
- Fan verdict: “So bad it’s good.”
2018/19 Home Kit – The ‘Pulse’ Fade
- Why it stands out: Puma’s gradient fade effect on the sleeves aimed for innovation but ended up dividing opinion.
- Key moments: Unai Emery’s 22-game unbeaten run, but Europa League final heartbreak left it with mixed memories.
- Fan verdict: “Decent, but trying too hard.”
2021/22 Third Kit – Blue Lightning Bolt
- Why it stands out: Adidas pushed boundaries with this bold blue and navy lightning bolt pattern, drawing from 90s influences.
- Key moments: Emile Smith Rowe’s rise to prominence and a return to European contention.
- Fan verdict: “Retro-inspired genius or futuristic nightmare – depends on who you ask.”
Fan Poll: What’s Your Favorite Arsenal Kit?
Every Arsenal fan has that one kit—the shirt that brings back memories of glory nights, legendary goals, or simply an iconic design you loved wearing. Whether it’s the gold-trimmed Highbury farewell kit, the classic Bruised Banana, or a bold Adidas modern creation, we want to know:
Vote Below: What’s Your Favorite Arsenal Kit?
- 2005/06 Home – Highbury Farewell
- 91/93 Away – Bruised Banana
- 2019/20 Home – Adidas Returns
- 2001/02 Away – Gold & Blue Glory
- 2010/11 Home – Classic Simplicity
- Other (Comment Below)
Join the Discussion!
Drop a comment below and let us know which Arsenal kit holds the most special place in your heart—or which one you’d rather forget!
➡️ Share your kit memories with fellow Gooners.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s kits have always been more than just shirts—they represent eras, players, and unforgettable memories for every Gooner. From the gold-trimmed Highbury Farewell kit to the cult-classic Bruised Banana, and even the bold modern Adidas designs, each kit tells a story of triumphs, heartbreaks, and the club’s ever-evolving identity.
While some kits, like the 2005/06 classic, will forever hold a place in our hearts, others—like the 2016/17 red stripe misfire—are best left in the archives. That’s what makes being an Arsenal fan so special: the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre are all part of our club’s journey.
Have Your Say!
We know every fan has their own favourite.
What’s yours?
👉 Vote in our Arsenal Kit Fan Poll
Or drop your pick in the comments below—let’s settle the ultimate Arsenal kit debate!