Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil "are prominent in promoting Arsenal’s new kit" that was launched on Wednesday, "but their supporters should be wary about treating it as a sign that the players will stay at the club," according to Gary Jacob of the LONDON TIMES. In one of the pictures, "the pair are stood in front of some of the club memorabilia with Olivier Giroud," who also "could leave Arsenal this summer" after losing his starting place up front. The strip was unveiled in a presentation outside King's Cross Station and will go on sale on July 3, "but it is questionable whether Sánchez will wear the jersey during a league game." The Chile int'l and Özil will enter the final year of their contracts next month and, without either reaching an agreement on a new deal, Arsenal "could be forced to sell the pair to prevent them leaving as free agents at the end of next season" (LONDON TIMES, 6/21). In London, Callum Davis reported the pair's presence in the promotional material for the new kit "will give Arsenal fans renewed hope that they will both extend their contracts with the club." The shirt features a new red and white collar which adds a "smart but functional element." The shirt also features "inner athletic tape" which "supports active muscles with micro-massage" (TELEGRAPH, 6/21). In London, Andy Warren reported the Gunners' new red home shirt "again includes the Fly Emirates sponsorship logo," as it has since '06. Arsenal's "famous cannon has been featured on the club's shirts for 50 years" and, to "celebrate that milestone," it has been added to the reverse of the new home kit, below the collar (DAILY MAIL, 6/21).
KIT LEAKS: In London, Elliott Bretland reported Chelsea and Tottenham's kits for the new season "have been leaked." The uniforms, made by Nike, "have somehow made it into the public domain and are apparently being sold" in the U.S. Both home and away strips have been leaked and "appear to share similar designs," based on the '17 edition of the Nike Vapor Aeroswift template. One shop, said to be in N.Y., is "seemingly already selling kits ahead of the new season" (
DAILY MAIL, 6/21). West Ham also revealed its '17-18 kit on Wednesday.
