Available from today, the range celebrates Arsenal station – the only underground station to be named after a football club, following its name change from Gillespie Road on October 31, 1932. This came after concerted lobbying from visionary manager Herbert Chapman, who wanted to make it much easier for supporters to instantly know how to get to see the team and to cement the identity of the club into the local area.
The pre-match collection is inspired by the seat pattern which appears on the Piccadilly Line trains that run through Arsenal station. The bold print is seen on the pre-match warm tops which the players will wear to warm up in ahead of games between now and the end of the season.
There are five pieces in the range which also includes a youth jersey, matching the adult shirts, as well as a reversible padded vest and pant – both of which have navy base colour, and subtle Arsenal tube station sign off.
The pre-match shirt will be first seen on the men’s team in Thursday night’s clash with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Warren Macdonald, Area Manager of Arsenal station on the Piccadilly line, said: “It’s fantastic that adidas and Arsenal have teamed up with Transport for London for this new pre-match range which reflects the story of Arsenal Tube station and the Piccadilly line moquette.
“Arsenal station has had a deep relationship with the football club for almost 90 years and there is nothing quite like the atmosphere and excitement on a match day. I look forward to seeing fans passing through the station wearing this eye-catching new pre-match range on their way to and from the stadium.”
