Arsenal 2004–05 Home Shirt – Authenticity Guide
The Arsenal 2004–05 Home Shirt was worn by the Gunners during their final full season at Highbury and is remembered for its deep red tone, wide side panels, and gold detailing. The shirt is a favourite among collectors as it bridges the transition from the Invincibles era into a new phase under Arsène Wenger. Common authenticity issues include poorly stitched crests, missing inner Nike tags, and replicas lacking the structured piping detail around the sides and back.
Shirt Overview
- Club: Arsenal FC
- Season: 2004–05
- Type: Home Shirt
- Manufacturer: Nike
- Main Colours: Deep red (maroon-toned) body with white sleeves and gold piping
- Competition Use: Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup
- Available Versions: Short sleeve and long sleeve, fan replica and player issue
- Retail Release: Summer 2004
Design Details
- Deep red base with white raglan sleeves
- Gold piping contouring from side panels to lower back
- Round neck with white trim and slight V-dip
- Embroidered Arsenal crest on the left chest
- White Nike Swoosh on the right chest
- Back features unique red arc on the shoulder panel
- Official squad printing in gold with black outline
Variants and Notes
- Player Issue Versions: Lighter-weight mesh, bonded seams, and heat-applied size codes
- Champions League Version: No sleeve patches and used alternate number font
- Youth Kits: Often lack rear shoulder arc panel and may feature printed crests
- 2003–04 Comparison: Previous shirt had different collar and no rear panelling design
Player Info
| Player | Appearances (All Competitions) |
| Thierry Henry | 42 |
| Robert Pirès | 45 |
| Dennis Bergkamp | 32 |
| Cesc Fàbregas | 46 |
| Patrick Vieira | 38 (final season) |
| Freddie Ljungberg | 41 |
| Sol Campbell | 32 |
| Ashley Cole | 38 |
| Jens Lehmann | 49 |
| Kolo Touré | 49 |
Season Summary
The 2004–05 campaign saw Arsenal build on their Invincibles legacy by finishing 2nd in the Premier League, just behind José Mourinho’s Chelsea. More notably, the team won the FA Cup, defeating Manchester United on penalties in the final—Patrick Vieira’s final act in an Arsenal shirt. This kit became iconic for its deep tones and gold accents, symbolising a successful, if transitional, era in the club’s recent history.
Final Notes
At Shirtchecker.com, we aim to help collectors visually authenticate football shirts with confidence through image references, fabric details, and seasonal context. The Arsenal 2004–05 Home Shirt is an important piece for any collection, representing the final full season of Patrick Vieira and the closing chapter of the Invincibles’ influence.
