Many Sky Sports viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the ‘clash’ of kits during Sunday’s game between Arsenal and West Ham. The Gunners wore their third strip for the visit to the London Stadium, knowing that three points are crucial to winning the Premier League title.
However, many felt the kit was too similar to the West Ham kit, highlighting that Arsenal’s shorts and socks were a similar color to West Ham’s iconic claret stripes. They aired their frustrations on X (formerly Twitter) just seconds into the match.
@AFCBani led the complaint, writing: “This kit crash is hard on the eyes. Why didn’t they wear blue?”
@ArsenalN7 said: “The kits crash. It’s terrible for the eyes. Why didn’t they use another kit?”
@Thornickl echoed their sentiments, writing: “Is it really necessary for West Ham and Arsenal to wear the same kit?”
Similarly, @_RL_1892 complained: “This kit is horrible to look at, but why can’t Arsenal just go back to normal and wear the yellow away kit?”
Many fans continued to make similar statements, with @brewtalb writing: “Whose idea was it to put us in the third kit for the clash against West Ham instead of the blue away kit?”
As @ZACWILSON_ said: “Why don’t Arsenal wear a blue away kit on a day like this? West Ham and Arsenal only wear the same colour, alternating top and bottom.”
Arsenal’s traditional red home kit would have looked too similar to West Ham’s, but there is a blue away kit that could be brought out instead.
Next season will see a noticeable change in terms of the league leaders’ appearance, as Visit Rwanda’s sleeve sponsorship will no longer appear on their kits as their commercial deal expires this summer.
The two companies have maintained a business partnership since 2018, which was thought to be worth more than £10 million a year, but it was mutually decided that this year would be the last time the collaboration would continue.
Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick said in November: “Our first sleeve partnership with Visit Rwanda has been an important journey. Over the years, we have worked together to raise global awareness of Rwanda’s tourism and conservation work, and have forged many new connections with supporters across Africa.”
“Visit Rwanda’s dedication and support through our partnership has played a key role in advancing our ambitions and helped us invest in our long-term vision of winning major trophies in an economically sustainable way. We are grateful to the Rwanda Development Board for their partnership and the results we have delivered together.”
