Feature

Shirt stories: Remembering the 1990-1992 classic

Tony Adams in action in 1991

We have a long tradition of famous shirts that have been at the forefront of football fashion, featuring iconic designs and donned by some of our greatest-ever players. 

Here, lifelong Arsenal supporter and collector Rocky Nico selects his favourite Gunners shirt - an adidas classic that was worn during some famous moments at the start of the 1990s:

My grandfather came to London in the 1960s from Cyprus and lived just around the corner from Highbury. We’ve been Arsenal ever since and I love the fact it’s generational for so many families.

My favourite shirt comes from before I was born – the 1990-1992 home shirt. I’ve always loved the classic kits that I never got to witness live. I loved looking back at the Season Review videos and the 1990/91 season always captivated me. It makes me feel a part of that era every time I put on the shirt.

I love everything about it, all its intricacies. Specifically the shiny details within the patterns, the navy three stripes and the cuffs which point upwards. These components make this shirt specifically so unique and timeless.

Ian Wright in action on home debut against Chelsea

I associate the legendary Ian Wright with this shirt. A detail I love is that he wore the ‘91/92 version of the jersey with the champions scroll underneath our beautiful crest. His eye for goal and ambition to score is still inspiring to this day, when I watch him scoring hat-tricks home and away that season against Southampton, I still try to emulate his style of play today!

Of course, as a collector of vintage Arsenal shirts and a trader I’m addicted to finding out details from our history from different eras. Specifically this era, George Graham led us to greatness which lives on today. I also love reading about the players we had at the time that tend to go under the radar.

When I was 15 I had to work for weeks in my cousin’s barbershop to be able to afford this shirt! It’s really special to me as it was the first vintage shirt I bought. I have one vintage shirt in my collection and also the new re-release shirt which adidas graced us with.

Fortunately, now I am allowed to preserve the original 1990 release and wear the re-release as much as I want, particularly at home games or even when I’m playing five-a-side! 

Did you know?

Wrighty scored on his debut in the away shirt this season (against Leicester in the League Cup), on his league debut he scored a hat-trick at Southampton – also in the away kit. And in his first appearance in the home kit, against Chelsea in the league, you guessed it – he scored!

Check out more classic shirts on Arsenal Direct

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