Arsenal have presented their home kit for the 2016-17 Premier League season and announced that Alexis Sanchez will take over the No. 7 shirt from Tomas Rosicky.
Sanchez has had No. 17 on his back since arriving at Arsenal two years ago but has now moved to the same number he wears for the Chile national team. He has two years left on his contract but is yet to agree to an extension, with the club hoping to tie him and Mesut Ozil down to long-term deals this summer.
New season, new kit, new number for @Alexis_Sanchez https://t.co/rDf8iC1fXQ pic.twitter.com/H08v8Fyf9B
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 23, 2016
The club unveiled their new home kit on Monday, two days after pictures leaked online of transfer target Granit Xhaka wearing it during a photoshoot at Arsenal's training ground.
Here it is. Our new @PUMAFootball shirt. We are THE @Arsenal.Os presento la nueva camiseta espero que os guste! pic.twitter.com/xhV2vDQmM6
- Santi Cazorla (@19SCazorla) May 23, 2016
A club source told ESPN FC on Saturday that Arsenal are close to completing a deal for Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach after the midfielder flew into London on Friday for talks before joining up with the Switzerland squad.
The club plans to present its new away kits toward the end of July. The new red and white home shirt is similar to last year's model but with a different collar and a dark crimson stripe down the centre as its standout feature.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud said of kit sponsor Puma: "[They] have designed a shirt that is influenced by our classic home kit and added modern features, which will ensure we stand out and look good on pitch. Our traditions and the iconic home shirt are very important and I know our fans are going to be very happy with it. It's a very nice looking shirt and I'm looking forward to wearing it next season."