Culture
JAM | Aug 29, 2022

‘Liverpool, take note!’: Holness approves Jamaica-inspired Arsenal jersey

Gavin Riley

Gavin Riley / Our Today

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The Arsenal x adidas football 2022-23 pre-match shirt. (Photo: Facebook @Arsenal)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has joined Jamaicans at home and abroad lauding London-based top-flight club Arsenal FC for unveiling its pre-match jersey dedicated to the island’s national colours.

Holness, in a tweet on Sunday (August 28), seemed to call out his own club, Liverpool FC, for being ‘beaten at the gun’ by Arsenal, urging the former English Premier League (EPL) champions to “take note”.

“@Arsenal releasing this pre-match jersey and campaign, reflective of Jamaica’s colours and culture, shows the Power of Brand Jamaica… Globally! @LFC Take note! :-)” he tweeted.

(Photo: Twitter @AndrewHolnessJM)

Arsenal, in an announcement on Thursday, said their 2022-23 EPL season pre-match jersey was done in collaboration with global sportswear giant Adidas to celebrate Jamaican supporters.

“With a vibrant display of energy and style, the jersey features a bold, all-over geometric print in green, gold and black – the colours of the Jamaican flag. With many Jamaicans living in our local community and across the capital, it pays tribute to those who call both north London and Jamaica home,” the club said in a statement.

The dazzling pre-game kit starts at £38 for junior jerseys, £55 for adults and £90 for a long-sleeved warm top and is available for purchase from Arsenal’s official online store and adidas.

Owing to its intricate design and wider campaign unveiling, the jerseys have been met with critical acclaim, though some Jamaicans on social media contended that it was ‘disrespectful’ for a sports club to be profiting from the colours of the national flag.

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe, who comes from Jamaican heritage, said: “Football is nothing without the fans, and I’m proud to see adidas and my club continuing to support our supporters from all backgrounds – just like we did when we launched our home shirt this year. It’s a stunning shirt and I’m looking forward to wearing it.”

Arsenal legend, Ian Wright MBE, who is also from Jamaican heritage, also added: “It’s fantastic to see adidas and Arsenal celebrating its rich and diverse fanbase. Arsenal is for everyone, and creating initiatives, support, and products that resonate with the wide ranging fanbase is fantastic to see. The fans are going to love it!”

It is the second ‘ode to Jamaica’ this year by top-flight clubs across Europe, as a previous nod to the island’s cultural impact was done by AFC Ajax but later banned by governing body UEFA.

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