Historical background
Arsène Wenger left Arsenal at the end of 2017–18, having managed the club since 1996. Arsenal competed in the Europa League during his final campaign.
Design story
A red body paired with white short sleeves and a small red collar edged in white. White Puma and Fly Emirates marks sit alongside the coloured shield crest.
Notable moments
- Arsène Wenger's final season as manager
- 2017–18 Europa League participation
- Red collar with white edging
Legacy
Forever the Wenger farewell shirt. 'Merci Arsène' memorabilia from the last home game adds to its pull.
Who wore it
Arsène Wenger
Final season in charge
Check the printing →Alexandre Lacazette
Record signing
Check the printing →Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
January arrival
Check the printing →Mesut Özil
Creator
Check the printing →
From the stories · 6 min read
Merci Arsène
After twenty-two years, the longest reign in Arsenal history came to an end in the spring of 2018. The Puma home shirt was the last one he managed in.
On 20 April 2018 Arsène Wenger announced that he would leave Arsenal at the end of the season. He had been manager since October 1996. In that time he had won three league titles, including the unbeaten Invincibles season, and seven FA Cups, more than any other manager in the competition's history. He had moved the club from Highbury to the Emirates. For most supporters under thirty, he was the only Arsenal manager they had ever known.
Read the full story →Provenance guide
What to check before you buy a Puma shirt.
- 01Puma inner tags show a six-digit style number plus a colour code — both should match the season.
- 02Authentic printing uses the official Premier League or cup font of that year.
- 03Player-issue 'evoKNIT' shirts are slimmer with a bonded crest.
If it's sold as match-worn
- Ask for photo-matching: a picture of the player in that exact shirt, with matching marks or creases.
- Club or kit-room letters, auction-house records and signed certificates help — but a certificate alone proves little.
- Match-worn shirts usually carry match-specific details: the right sleeve patches, dated embroidery, a player-size cut.
On the pitch
