The Nike 1994-95 Arsenal Goalkeeper Kits

We recently posted on Social Media about one of the greatest goalkeeper kits of all-time, Nike’s Arsenal kit worn by David Seaman in 1994-95, and it unveiled a few extra things we thought we'd write about.

Arsenal 1994-95 goalkeeper shirt by Nike pic.twitter.com/p8tbtBCg7b

— Vintage Football Shirts (@VFshirts) February 1, 2022

You can imagine our excitement when we opened a mail package revealing the Nike Premier logo on the green sleeve of one of the rarest goalkeeper shirts in the Arsenal back catalogue. The only slight downside was that the shirt was an XL.Boys rather than the adults version. You can see one major difference between these in the size of the famous JVC logo, as you’d expect, it is much smaller on the junior version. But let's not get away from the fact that it’s one of the greatest shirts of all-time and this green version might be the best of the lot. You can decide when we’ve had a look at them all.

Green kits are seldom used outfield, presumably because of the colour of the grass, however ‘keeper kits were traditionally green. The shade of green used in this Nike design seems a bit more stylish than you’d see back in the 50s but it’s green nevertheless. Having said this, you’d definitely never see a brand's logo running throughout the shirt in the 50s and you certainly wouldn’t see a huge star on the front which you’d maybe expect to be emblazoned on a jockey silk. Even in the 90s it was a pretty ‘out-there’ design.

The design was by Drake Ramberg who was in charge of Nike designs in Europe at this time. In a move that would surely have had some backlash from traditional club members Drake took some risks with many of his kits. The Arsenal home kit was traditional in colour but he seemed to have a bit more licence with the away and goalkeeper kits. And we are so glad.

The Nike Premier logo is one of the great logos of the 90s which seemed to spring from nowhere and works brilliantly tiled through-out the design. What we've not mentioned yet is this green colour was paired with a bright red star on the front. Whether it works together with the green is up to you!

... or do you prefer the grey version? pic.twitter.com/6rEPmR7rDv

— Vintage Football Shirts (@VFshirts) February 1, 2022

Now let's move on from green to the most popular version, the monochrome black and grey Arsenal goalkeeper shirt. It would probably make sense that this was used more often due to the fact that it’s only one tone and more importantly wouldn’t clash with the red kit of the outfield players, unlike the red star on the green version. The shirt has the same design as before with the great Nike Premier logo running throughout the material and a large dark star design in the middle. If you are an Arsenal fan you might have mixed feelings about this design. It was worn all season by David Seaman in 1994-95 and we’re sure he made some excellent saves in it, however, we can't forget that it was on show in the infamous 1995 Cup Winners Cup Final against Zaragoza when ex-Spurs player Nayem scored from the half-way line. And no, nobody will ever let Gooners forget that!

or the yellow one.. pic.twitter.com/0Lvfj5A8rN

— ChrisEfreme (@ChrisEfreme) February 1, 2022

Or the orange one? pic.twitter.com/pxOc1q5xbb

— Dave Røberts????????????????? (@DaveRoberts777) February 2, 2022

Now let’s move on to some really rare versions, and a few that we weren’t even sure existed until recently. The first is blue with a yellow star on the front. This colourway would match the traditional blue and yellow away kit design that you would see a few years later from Nike, however, we are not sure it was ever worn in this period. The second, or fourth if you are counting them all, is black, orange and purple. Yes, definitely a strange colour combination, but it might be for you.

Did you know that the grey version of the '94-95 Arsenal GK shirt was in the film Hackers?

Thanks @101singer pic.twitter.com/0UH8TVPCwo

— Vintage Football Shirts (@VFshirts) February 2, 2022

Which is your favourite of these designs? If it helps you make a decision, the black and grey version of the shirt was in the film Hackers with Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller. That might just be enough to push it over the line.

If you are a fan of these and other vintage Arsenal kits take a look at our full range here.