Arsenal have unveiled their new Puma kit for next season, partially allaying fears that their talismanic forward, Alexis Sanchez, could quit the club this summer. The club has placed the Chilean at the centre of the marketing for the new strip and revealed that the player will wear the number seven shirt next season.
"Monday's kit launch is the clearest indication yet that the player will remain in north London," says the Daily Telegraph.
And it almost overshadowed the kit news, says The Sun. "Not only does the change allow the Chilean forward to be the 'star man', as previous incumbent Tomas Rosicky has left the club, but it also suggests he is set to stay, despite rumours running riot that he was set to leave north London in the summer."
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The news will please Gunners fans, but the cost of the new kit may come as a shock, says the Daily Mirror. "The short-sleeved replica shirt is available for £55, while the long-sleeved version can be purchased for £60. The authentic match shirt, however, will cost a staggering £100."
The shirt is the same as the one leaked at the weekend, when pictures of new signing Granit Xhaka wearing the top appeared on Twitter.
Puma claims the design takes its inspiration from managers, players and historic moments that defined the club throughout the 1990s, and the launch features not only current players but members of earlier Arsenal sides, including 'Invincibles' Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.
Despite the marketing speak, others could be forgiven for thinking that it is simply a traditional red and white Arsenal top with a stripe down the middle.
Opinion, as usual, is divided on the kit.
"The new retro design has received positive feedback from Gooners," claims Metro. "Many have claimed it's reminiscent of the kit worn between 1992 and 1994, except with a darker red line running through the middle of the shirt."
The vertical stripe is "intriguing" says Bleacher Report, but not everyone was taken with the design.
