In the 1890s Arsenal kept a spare set of white shirts as required by the Football League regulations of the time. Records of change kits prior to 1960 have been hard to come by but Denis Hurley has uncovered a hooped top (worn in the mid 30s), a black and white vertical striped shirt worn at Blackpool in the FA Cup in 1953 (and possibly on other occasions too) and we also have evidence of the team wearing blue and white versions of their famous home shirt in the late 50s.
The first time Arsenal wore gold shirts was in the FA Cup final of 1950 against Liverpool, who also wore white shirts when a change was required. At the time, both clubs changed in FA Cup matches when there was a clash so Arsenal commissioned a smart set of gold shirts for the occasion, which saw them triumph, 2-0.
For the 1968-69 season, Arsenal wore navy blue shirts when colours clashed, a kit identical to Spurs' change kit of the time.
In 1969 the FA banned navy shirts (they looked too similar to referees' black kit apparently) so the Gunners turned out in yellow shirts and blue shorts for the first time, an outfit that recalled that FA Cup win of almost 20 years previous. This kit became almost as famous as their iconic red and white home kit and was worn, with minor changes to the design of the collar and the addition of a sponsor's logo in 1981, right through until the end of the 1981-82 season. During this period Arsenal, like Leeds United, took to wearing their change kit when playing away from home regardless of whether there was a colour clash. This practice gave rise to the term "away kit" that is now universally used rather than the more accurate "change kit."
In 1982 Umbro introduced what became known as the "bluebottle strip," a mirror image of their new home kit but in green and navy blue. The kit proved unpopular with supporters and was replaced the following season by a rather more traditional affair that substituted navy for royal blue and, for the first time, incorporating red trimmings.
In 1986 Adidas took over as Arsenal's kit manufacturer whose designs incorporated their trademark three stripes, each edged in a contrasting colour. Among the spectacular designs introduced in the 90s was the infamous "bruised banana" strip (1991-93), a kit that consistently appear near the top of any poll of the worst kits ever.
Nike took over from Adidas in 1994 and their radical reinvention of the Gunners' kits included navy and turquoise away kits (a yellow and navy shirt was also available but used only twice). Yellow, then deep gold reappeared at the end of the decade and in 2000, the shirt was rendered in metallic gold. In 2002 Nike introduced a revolutionary shirt in navy blue with a striking geometric pattern on a broad vertical panel. the 2002-03 season was also the first time that the club recycled their previous change kit as a third choice kit for the following season. This practice is now widespread and allows the top clubs to retain kits for two seasons while introducing a new line each year.
Arsenal have continued to sport dramatic away kits, including dark grey shorts matched with yellow shirts (2005-07), white shirts with redcurrant shorts (2007-08) and redcurrant and "obsidian" hoops (2007-08).
