Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will have their fans dreaming of the club's famous Invincibles next season.
For so much of this campaign, the Gunners seemed destined to land a first Premier League title since Thierry Henry and co went unbeaten through all 38 games in 2003/04. But a stuttering finish that saw them take just nine points from a possible 24 essentially handed the title to Man City.
But whilst the current squad may not have been able to match that famous team by landing silverware, moving forward they will now replicate them on the field in one way at least. The club have released their new adidas home kit for the 2023/24 season, and the design celebrates the 20th anniversary of that unforgettable year under Arsene Wenger.
In a released statement, the club explained: "Our new kit draws on the spirit of The Invincibles team of 2003/04, marking the beginning of the 20th anniversary of our unbeaten Premier League season. Our crest and adidas’ logo and three stripes down each sleeve feature in gold, and our record of 26 wins and 12 draws over 38 games in that historic season is stitched into the side of the authentic version of the kit."
Bukayo Saka, fresh from signing a new deal at the Emirates, said the new strip would have a 'powerful' effect on the club: “We’re in this together,” said Saka. “The support we’ve received this season home and away, from supporters around the world and from colleagues and friends across the Arsenal family has been immense.
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“Celebrating this moment together makes us excited to wear this shirt next season. It’s so powerful when we know teammates, supporters and friends are driving us on. We’re stronger when we’re moving forward, together.”
The new strip will be unveiled this weekend, when Arsenal's women’s team faces Aston Villa at Meadow Park in their final WSL game of the season. The men’s team will then wear the new kit in their final league match against Wolves at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arteta's team are guaranteed second place irrespective of that result, which represents their best campaign since being runners up to Leicester in 2015/16. The North London club will also now return to the Champions League after six straight seasons outside the top four.
But one of the club's invincible players may still be watching the league action nervously on Sunday, just not necessarily in North London.. City striker Erling Haaland needs just one goal involvement - either by scoring himself or providing an assist - to beat Henry's previous high marker of 44.
