Arsenal have launched a new all-black away kit inspired by the Premier League club's 'passionate' and 'committed' global fanbase.
The Gunners, who are currently on a pre-season tour of the US, want to honour their pockets of supporters across the world. These groups are known as "Little Islingtons" - named after the area of London the club has been based in for more than a century.
Arsenal's new kit is available to buy from Monday and will be worn in their friendly against Orlando City in Florida on Wednesday. Fans may also see the jersey worn in their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on August 5.
The all-black kit is fitted with a cannon badge, Adidas logo and Emirates sign - all of which are in bronze. The Adidas stripes on the sleeves are in metallic and the AFC initials are imprinted on the shirt.
"We are proud to present our new adidas away kit for the 2022/23 season in celebration of our passionate supporters in the ‘Little Islingtons’ in the United States and around the world," read a club statement. "Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Italy – in cities across the United States these cultural outposts are everywhere.
"During our pre-season tour, we’re celebrating every ‘Little Islington’ the millions of Gooners who live in America call home, the passion and commitment of our overseas supporters, and the strong connection Gooners everywhere feel to the club, no matter where they are in the world."
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Aston Mack, an Arsenal fan in the US, has helped launch the kit. He was pictured wearing an Gunners jersey at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Orlando in July 2020, shortly after the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis.
Mack is the founder of the Orlando Freedom Fighters, an activist group in Florida. "As a proud Orlando Gooner, to me, the Arsenal jersey means strength, solidarity and pride," he said. "When I wear the jersey, it takes me to another world.
"I feel protected, I feel connected, I feel part of a bigger community. I’m proud of Arsenal for presenting what our jersey means to people like me. It’s more than a jersey, it’s a representation of home and family, no matter where we’re from or where we live."
Director of Adidas Inigo Turner added: "We looked at including different parts of Emirates Stadium in this away jersey, which would ensure that fans can take a piece of home with them, even when travelling away to support the team.
"We know that every fan has a different relationship with the stadium, whether it’s walking from the Tollington, or strolling down Blackstock Road. These streets, the bronze cannons, the concrete ‘Arsenal’ lettering all make Emirates Stadium a unique place.
"It is a space used by the community and fans alike on any day of the week, and we wanted to weave in some of those references to help transport north London to Gunners across the world."
