Arsenal officially reveal new kit and drop massive hint regarding the future of star forward Alexis Sanchez
Gunners show off shiny new Puma strip while Chilean star switches to No7, suggesting he is set to stay at the Emirates despite rumours of an exit in the summer window
ARSENAL have officially unveiled their home kit for the 2016-17 season — and dropped a mega hint regarding the future of star forward Alexis Sanchez in the process.
Puma have designed the traditional red strip for next term, featuring a blend of modern and contemporary Arsenal shirts from their history.
But during the reveal, even bigger news came out of the Emirates Stadium — as Sanchez has switched his No17 for No7.
Not only does the change allow the Chilean forward to be the ‘star man’, as previous incumbent Tomas Rosicky has left the club, but it also suggests he is set to stay, despite rumours running riot that he was set to leave north London in the summer.
The new kit also features a dark stripe down the centre of the top as well as the traditional white shorts.
And French forward Olivier Giroud — who is also rumoured to be shipped off this summer — is thrilled with his new threads.
He said: “Puma has done a great job with the new home kit.
“They have designed a shirt that is influenced by our classic home kit and added modern features, which will ensure we stand out and look good on pitch.
“Our traditions and the iconic home shirt are very important and I know our fans are going to be very happy with it.
“It’s a very nice looking shirt and I’m looking forward to wearing it next season.”
Meanwhile, manufacturers Puma, said: “The new Arsenal Home kit for the 2016-17 season was revealed today with a striking new look.
“Drawing inspiration from the managers, players and moments that defined the Gunners throughout the 90s, this modern interpretation of a classic merges innovative technology with design features that give a nod to Arsenal’s past.
“Designed in the classic Arsenal home red, Puma has created the new 2016-17 home shirt based on the traditional and iconic home shirt treasured by fans.
“Puma’s iconic T7 Form Stripe runs along each sleeve and a dropped tail and longer sleeves with cuffs give this shirt a refined look.
“Rounding off the design, the printed front graphic provides a modern approach and the heat transfer gothic “A”, inspired by the gothic font that featured on the club’s crest in the past, is the official signoff on the back neck area.
“The new performance shirt worn on pitch by the players features Puma’s new apparel technology ACTV Thermo-R, strategically inserted in both the front and the back of the shirt to help players maintain an optimum body temperature.
“A unique phase-change material is injected into the shirts’ inner athletic tape, which allows microcapsules to absorb excess heat and release it back to the body when needed.
“The taping in the shirts provides an extra snug fit, micro-massaging the skin in specific areas to enable a faster, more effective energy supply to the active muscles.”