ARSENAL 1996-98 HOME SHIRT - BERGKAMP 10 - 8/10
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Description & Sizing
Excellent condition. Club crest and Nike swoosh are embroidered. Club sponsor is flock and embossed. Player name/number are flock and heat applied. Wear to lower rear motif. No bobbles or pulls. Colours and stitching are in excellent condition.
Arsenal enjoyed a transformative period during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 campaigns, culminating in their first Premier League title and a historic domestic double under Arsène Wenger.
Following the departure of Bruce Rioch in the summer of 1996, Arsenal appointed Wenger as manager in October, making the Frenchman the first manager from outside the British Isles to take charge of the club.
The squad featured established players including Tony Adams, David Seaman, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn, alongside new arrivals Patrick Vieira and Rémi Garde.
Wenger began introducing changes to Arsenal's playing style and training methods, establishing the foundations for a more attacking approach while retaining the club's experienced defensive unit.
Arsenal finished third in the Premier League during 1996/97 with 68 points, securing qualification for the following season's UEFA Cup. Wright remained an influential attacking figure, finishing as the club's leading league goalscorer with 23 goals, while Bergkamp continued to provide creativity and technical quality.
The following campaign saw Arsenal strengthen their squad with the arrivals of Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit, who became important members of Wenger's developing side.
Despite an inconsistent start to the 1997/98 season, Arsenal gradually established themselves as Manchester United's principal challengers for the Premier League title. An impressive run of ten consecutive league victories during the closing months proved decisive, including a memorable 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford through an Overmars goal.
Arsenal eventually secured the championship with two matches remaining, defeating Everton 4–0 at Highbury to claim their first league title since 1990/91.
Bergkamp enjoyed an exceptional individual campaign, earning both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards, while Overmars contributed important goals throughout the title race. The Gunners subsequently faced Newcastle United in the FA Cup final at Wembley, with goals from Overmars and Nicolas Anelka securing a 2–0 victory.
The result completed Arsenal's second domestic double, following their previous achievement in 1970/71, and delivered Wenger's first major trophies as manager.
Produced by Nike, the 1996–98 classic home shirt featured Arsenal's traditional red body with white sleeves, complemented by a distinctive white collar, navy-blue detailing and the JVC sponsor. Worn during Wenger's arrival and Arsenal's 1997/98 domestic double, the shirt is closely associated with one of the most important periods in the club's modern history.
S - PIT TO PIT - 51cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 67cm
M - PIT TO PIT - 54cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 69cm
L - PIT TO PIT - 57cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 71cm
XL - PIT TO PIT - 60cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 74cm
2XL - PIT TO PIT - 62cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 77cm
Unsure about sizing? View our Size Guide to compare measurements across eras.
Condition
Each item is individually inspected and graded by our team to ensure an accurate representation of its condition.
Every item at The Soccer Archive is individually assessed and graded on our condition scale out of 10. This rating takes into account the overall quality of the fabric, print, badges and any natural signs of wear that come with age.
Most pieces we sell are vintage or pre-owned, meaning small signs of age can be part of their character.
Our condition guide
10/10 - Brand New with Tags
Outstanding condition with no noticeable flaws. Tags may or may not be present, but the item shows little to no sign of wear.
9/10 - Mint
Very strong vintage condition. May show the lightest signs of storage or previous wear, but nothing that distracts from the item overall.
8/10 - Excellent
A well-kept piece with minor signs of age or use. This could include light bobbling, slight fading or very small marks, but it still presents really well.
7/10 - Very Good
Noticeable wear consistent with age. This may include moderate fading, small pulls, bobbling, minor cracking to print or a small mark.
6/10 and below - Good with Noticeable Signs of Wear
More obvious signs of wear or ageing. This might include heavier fading, marks, pulls, print wear or repairs.
Any notable flaws will always be highlighted in the product description and imagery.
Product Care
Vintage sportswear requires a little extra care to help preserve fabric, colour and printed details.
Following the steps below will help protect sponsor logos, badges, namesets and delicate materials.
Washing
- Hand wash where possible. For delicate or older items, hand wash only
- If machine washing, use a cold wash on a gentle cycle
- Wash inside out
- Wash with similar colours
- Use mild detergent only
- Do not bleach
- Avoid fabric softener
Drying
- Air dry naturally
- Hang or dry flat in a well-ventilated space
- Avoid direct heat from radiators and strong sunlight where possible
- Do not tumble dry
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep away from damp environments or direct sunlight
- For long-term storage, fold carefully to avoid stressing prints and badges
- If hanging, use a wide/padded hanger to help maintain shape
Protecting prints, badges and sponsor logos
- Do not iron directly over prints, namesets, patches or sponsor logos
- Avoid excessive heat, as this can damage vinyl, flock and older materials
- Take extra care with vintage shirts that have original printing or delicate embellishments
Vintage pieces often feature delicate materials and original printing, so gentle care will always give the best results.
Want to learn more about caring for your collection? Read our How to Care for Vintage Football Shirts: The Complete Guide.
Why Shop With The Soccer Archive?
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All products are graded using our condition scale, so you can buy vintage items with confidence.
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