Some shirts are remembered for who wore them. This one is remembered for how it looked. Arsenal’s 1991-93 away kit, forever known as the “bruised banana,” is one of the most instantly recognizable shirts in football, and demand for originals has only grown. Here is the story and where to find one.
Where can I buy the Arsenal bruised banana jersey?
Original bruised banana shirts and faithful reissues are best found through Classic Football Shirts, the trusted source for authentic vintage kits. You can check condition, sizing and printing before you buy.
Want the real thing?
Shop the Arsenal bruised banana and other vintage Arsenal shirts at Classic Football Shirts.
What makes it the bruised banana
Designed by Adidas and worn from 1991 to 1993, the shirt paired a bright yellow base with a jagged black zigzag pattern. The nickname stuck immediately: bright banana yellow, bruised by the dark markings. It was bold to the point of controversial when it launched, exactly the kind of risk that turns a shirt into a legend.
Why it became a cult classic
The early 1990s were the high-water mark for daring kit design, and few shirts captured that spirit better. Over the years the bruised banana went from divisive to beloved, and it is now widely called the most iconic Arsenal shirt ever made. Reissues and merchandise keep the design alive, but originals are the ones collectors want.
Should you buy an original or a reissue?
Original 1991-93 shirts carry the most value and history, but condition varies and prices climb for clean examples. Officially licensed reissues offer the same look at a lower price if you mainly want to wear it. Either way, buy through a trusted vintage seller and confirm the details.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the bruised banana? The bright yellow base with a black zigzag pattern looked like a bruised banana, and the nickname stuck.
Who designed the bruised banana kit? Adidas, as Arsenal’s away shirt worn from 1991 to 1993.
Where can I buy the bruised banana jersey? Classic Football Shirts is the reliable source for original shirts and licensed reissues.