A few weeks ago we brought you exclusive(ish) images of Arsenal’s away kit for next season. Many were confounded by the strange design.
We can now reveal that it is in fact a fitting tribute to club legend and fan favourite Abou Diaby, who will be offered a new deal by Arsene Wenger in the summer.
The shirt has been designed by kit manufacturers Puma to commemorate the Arsenal stalwart’s 3 (three) appearances in Arsenal colours since his much-anticipated return from a long-term injury in May of last year.
Each of the three bars on the new jersey represent a game in which Abou Diaby features in some way:
The white bar represents 16 minutes against Norwich; the turquoise bar symbolises an appearance as an unused sub versus Villa; whilst the golden bar refers to 23 minutes of pure gold against Southampton. Until he got injured again.
“We wanted to create something special for the franchise,” said Polly Esther, chief executive officer for PUMA. “Arsene told us that Diaby was the man who would get the greatest reaction from the club’s support.”
The kit will be launched in the summer and available in time for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore. The club are fairly confident that Diaby will be available to wear it.
