Reviewing the 2019/20 adidas Arsenal Authentic Match Jersey

Few kits have hit me with such nostalgia and feeling of perfection as this beautifully crafted adidas Arsenal Authentic jersey. I got hit with that old, “back home from school after 6 months” and smelling mom’s home cooking as I walk in the door – kind of comfort. A rocky (in my opinion) half decade under the Puma brand had the team needing a fresh start, and we’ve landed (back) home in the 3 stripes. With great team business done in the summer transfer window to inch closer to title winning caliber; they are set to at least look the part as they compete this season.

The classic Gunners’ red base and white sleeve combination hasn’t ever felt more in tune. White shoulder stripes make for a seamless transition between the sleeve and striped collar. They create negative space that bring the sleeves together with the whole. Additionally the new low profile printing of 3-stripe makes for a super comfortable shoulder area, unlike some bulky shoulder striping material in many previous jerseys. The Arsenal Shield is also less obtrusive and lightweight which rests nicely with it being heat-sealed. The gold outline frames the crest and along with the cannon inside, tends to glimmer and catch the eye. Of course the banana peel away jersey has got a lot of media attention as well because it’s pretty much a throwback to those days when Ian Wright still prowled the turf of Highbury with all pomp and pride. The third jersey may actually be the best looking of them all, it’s edgy and superbly good looking and I love it.

My favorite detail of the shirt has to be the neck and sleeve tri-tone striped trim. A seeming throwback to the classic JVC sponsored kits, it brings in some of that navy blue you come to know from the crest and previous alternate jerseys. The sandwiched white-navy-red-n-w lines create a visual effect to be perceived a solid line from afar, and it caps off the shirt with homage and framing. In some previous years jerseys the white sleeves felt overbearing to me, but the subtleties of flipping the striped pattern to white, and use of white in the collar stripes creates a more cohesive and balanced jersey – add in Visit Rwanda sleeve sponsor and streamlined smooth vinyl Premier League Patches to top it off. The felt official patches that many have known are dead and gone. To be replaced with the extremely thin vinyl that seems to become apart of the jersey with the authentic double knit polyester texture subtly coming through. 

The Jersey Details

As would be expected from an adidas Authentic kit, it is insanely light! Climachill technology has a familiar mesh-like look with supreme comfort. Aluminum-silver dots embedded in the fabric supposedly conduct the heat away from the body, and familiar mesh ventilation will all help with overheating on the field. The only time I’ve played in a lightweight and cool top like this, would be shirtless with a penny in practice. The real question – whether to get the standard replica Arsenal Home jersey or the Authentic on-field version, seems a much easier one to answer this year. Previously, the authentic cut jerseys were a much more tailored and streamlined fit which could make the wearer potentially self-conscious. I am noticing maybe a half inch difference most in length/width to my typical replica fit, which should be a much more lenient and reliable fit (compared to some Nike Match jerseys which are noticeably smaller than their corresponding replica size). The streamlined three stripes on the shoulders and heat-sealed patch ultimately have me won over on the authentic. The electric gunners attack will be flying this year with even less drag holding them back. Whether in this Classic Home jersey, the traditional yellow away, or the dashing navy kit with gold trim – they’ll be doing so in rejuvenated 3 stripe fashion. 

 

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