Arsenal’s 1991-93 away kit, forever known as the “bruised banana,” is one of the most instantly recognizable shirts in football. Adidas has now revived the design twice, most recently for the 2026-27 season, and demand for originals keeps climbing. Here is the story and where to find one.
One thing worth knowing before you compare listings: early-90s Adidas shirts run small by modern standards, and most originals that survive in good condition are boys or small adult sizes, which is exactly what the stock above reflects. If you want a relaxed modern fit, size up or go for a reissue.
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.
Browse the bruised banana →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. The design split opinion when it launched, and that boldness is a big part of why it still stands out three decades later.
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.
The bruised banana returns for 2026-27
Adidas brought the design back for a third life in July 2026, unveiling Arsenal’s 2026-27 away kit as a direct nod to the 1991-93 shirt. The colours are flipped this time: a navy base carries the yellow zigzag chevrons, with a yellow Trefoil logo and cannon completing the look. The launch campaign leaned on the shirt’s history, with Ian Wright, Declan Rice, Chloe Kelly and Little Simz all involved, and the kit went on sale on 24 July 2026 as Arsenal prepare to defend their Premier League title. It follows the 2019-20 away shirt, which was an almost exact remake of the original. Every revival sends new collectors after the real thing, and prices for clean 1991-93 examples have climbed with each one.
After the new version instead? Browse the current Arsenal shirts and kits range.
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.
The other Arsenal shirts worth owning
The 1991-93 away is the one everyone names, but it is not the only Arsenal shirt with a following. The 1994-95 away in two tone blue, the JVC era home shirts of the late eighties, and the 2005-06 redcurrant home worn for the final season at Highbury all hold their value. The redcurrant in particular was a one season shirt by design, which is exactly the kind of scarcity that keeps a price up thirty years later.
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.
Is there a modern version of the bruised banana? Yes. Adidas released a navy reinterpretation as Arsenal’s 2026-27 away kit in July 2026, after a first faithful remake in 2019-20.