Arsenal make new Adidas kit decision for Man City title decider as Premier League rumour quashed

Arsenal's men's team will not be wearing their newly released home kit for their title race showdown with Everton at Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners launched their brand new kit on Thursday morning. The new strip features a cannon in place of the club's badge. The cannon has previously been used on away kits, but this is the first time that Arsenal's home shirt will feature it in 35 years.

"We anchored this season in the iconography of Arsenal - and there is no more iconic symbol for Arsenal than the cannon," said Sam Handy, SVP of product and design at Adidas. "In development, we revisited the archive and reviewed years of design and collaboration, the core elements of the club’s identity to players and supporters.

"So, this season is all about the cannon, the role it plays in the legacy of the club and reintroducing it to a fresh generation of supporters and players."

This is not the first time that the club have released their home kit before the end of the season. Generally though, the team have tended to wear the new shirt for the season finale.

Last year Arsenal debuted this season's strip as Granit Xhaka bid farewell to the club in their final game of the season against Wolves. The campaign prior they also wore the new home kit for the coming season in a 5-1 win over Everton on the final day.

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This year though, Arsenal's men's team will not be wearing the new shirt for the final game of the season, which coincidentally is also against Everton. The club have chosen to do this because they are still in with a chance of winning the title going into the final day of the campaign. There are no Premier League rules requiring them to do this, however.

Premier League rule rules in relation to changing kits on the final day are as follows:

On the occasions of a Club’s last home and away League Match in any Season a further Strip (i.e. not one registered by the Club in accordance with Rule M.17) may be worn provided that:

• M.21.1. at least 14 days’ prior written notice of intention to do so is given to the Board (such notice to be accompanied by a sample of the Strip intended to be worn) and the opposing Club (such notice to be accompanied by a CAD drawing of the Strip intended to be worn); and

• M.21.2. the alternative Strip shall be subsequently registered as the Club’s home or alternative Strip for the following Season.

Arsenal have therefore elected not to change kits for the final day of the season due to the ongoing title race themselves, rather than being forced to do so by any Premier League guidance.

The Gunners have a chance of clinching a first Premier League in 20 years if they are able to leapfrog Manchester City on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side head into their final game of the season against West Ham in control though, after winning their game in hand over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

City will also not be wearing their new kit. The reigning Premier League champions released their new Puma home strip earlier on Thursday as well.

Arsenal's women's team will be wearing the new kit when they round off their season on Saturday with a game against Brighton and Hove Albion at Meadow Park. Jonas Eidevall's side sit third in the WSL five points off Manchester City and Chelsea who will battle it our for the title in a thrilling finale.