Arsenal Away Shirt Nike 1997-99 JVC vintage collector

Arsenal Away 1997-99 Nike x JVC — The Gunners' historic Double kit

In 1997-98, Arsène Wenger had his first great English season, winning Arsenal a Premier League title and the FA Cup. This Arsenal Nike away kit, featuring JVC as sponsor, is exactly what Bergkamp, Vieira, and Overmars wore to conquer away points. No unnecessary romance — just a winning kit.

Kit Details

Season: 1997-1999
Club: Arsenal FC
Type: Away
Manufacturer: Nike
Sponsor: JVC
Condition: 8/10
State: LITTLE PULLS — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, some small pulled threads without altering the general look of the fabric

What this kit represents

The late 90s was when Arsenal transformed from a solid club into a true winning machine. Arsène Wenger, who arrived in autumn 1996, introduced a new style: pressing, quick combinations, continental technicality at the heart of the brutality of 90s Premier League. The 1997-98 Double — Premier League and FA Cup — was no accident; it was the validation of a coherent playing philosophy and surgical recruitment. This Nike away kit is a direct witness to this revolution that would define an entire generation of Gunners fans.

The squad from that era is simply legendary. Dennis Bergkamp, who arrived in 1995, reached his creative peak in 97-98, delivering exquisite passes from the heart of the game. Patrick Vieira dominated the midfield, physically and technically. Marc Overmars, a major summer 1997 signing, terrorized opposing defenses on his flank with his unparalleled speed. And Nicolas Anelka, barely 18, scored his first real Premier League goals with a coolness that foreshadowed his future. Wearing this away kit means embodying the identity of one of the most exciting squads in the club's history.

Moments etched in this kit

The 1997-98 Premier League title clinched away from home
Arsenal finished the season with 78 points, beating Manchester United by just one point in a nail-biting title race. Away matches, wearing exactly this Nike-JVC kit, were crucial in building this championship campaign — the Gunners lost only two games all season.

The 1998 FA Cup — the Double is complete
The 2-0 FA Cup final victory against Newcastle on May 16, 1998, at Wembley completed a historic Double for Arsenal, the second in the club's history after 1971. Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka scored both goals — two players directly associated with this away kit worn throughout the campaign.

The 1998-99 seasons — defending the title with difficulty
The following season, Arsenal returned to battle with the same away kit, attempting to retain their title. Manchester United would ultimately be crowned champions that year, but the Gunners remained formidable opponents, playing every Premier League away game in this Nike kit, which became a symbol of a team that never gave up on the road.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage kit features a close-fitting cut, technical fabrics of the era — here the characteristic Nike construction of the late 90s — and finishes designed for the pitch, not the stands. Replicas of that time were already different in their structure, fabric thickness, and how logos and sponsors were applied. What you hold in your hands belongs to the superior category: a match-worn or serious fan's kit, not a supermarket item.

This one is in 8/10 condition with some little pulls, which is absolutely normal and expected for a kit of this generation that has been worn. These minor flaws are proof that this kit has lived, that it was worn by someone who loved Arsenal at that time — not stored in plastic in a warehouse for 25 years. For a serious collector, this is precisely what gives it its character.

Vintage Size Guide

Vintage Nike sizes from the 90s do not correspond to current standards. A 1997 L generally equates to a modern M, sometimes even an S depending on your build. Nike at this period cut tight, in the spirit of the football cuts of the time — fitted at the chest, relatively short sleeves. Do not order the same as your current kit size without checking your measurements.

Before buying, take a tape measure and measure your chest circumference and shoulder length. Then compare with the actual measurements of the kit, which you can request from the seller. A difference of 5 to 8 cm in chest circumference between your usual size and the reality of a vintage L-size kit is quite common — better to know beforehand than afterwards.

Why own it for your collection

The 1997-99 Arsenal Away Nike kit represents one of the most important periods in the club's recent history. It marks the first major title of the Wenger era, the starting point of a dominance that would extend into the early 2000s. Finding a good condition example of this generation in the vintage collector's kit market is no easy feat — demand is high, supply in good condition is rare, and prices are not declining.

In 8/10 condition with some pulled threads, there aren't many in this state still circulating. Most examples you come across on the market are either in catastrophic condition or prohibitively expensive because they are too well preserved. This one is in the ideal zone: to wear or display, your choice. A kit with character, a story behind it, and accessible dimensions for a collector who knows what they're looking for.

To go further

• Arsenal FC — Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive — Kit History
• Premier League — Official Website
• UEFA — European Football

If you grew up with Arsenal in the late 90s or are building a serious collection from the Wenger era, this Nike away kit ticks all the boxes — it's your move.