The Arsenal 2005–06 Home Retro Football Shirt commemorates the club’s final season at Highbury after 93 years at their historic home. Arsène Wenger’s side finished fourth in the Premier League and made history in Europe, reaching the UEFA Champions League Final for the first time after overcoming Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal during a memorable European campaign.

Thierry Henry captained the side and enjoyed another outstanding season, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, becoming Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer and completing a memorable hat-trick in the final competitive match at Highbury. The campaign was also Dennis Bergkamp’s final season as a professional, while Cesc Fàbregas, Robert Pirès, Freddie Ljungberg and Robin van Persie were among the other notable members of the squad.

The shirt is instantly recognisable for its distinctive redcurrant colour, introduced specifically to commemorate Arsenal’s final season at Highbury and inspired by the colours associated with the club’s arrival at the ground in 1913. Rather than the familiar bright red body and white sleeves, the shirt uses a rich redcurrant base complemented by elegant gold detailing, the central club crest and O2 sponsorship. Dedicated Highbury 1913–2006 commemorative elements complete one of the most distinctive Arsenal home shirts of the Wenger era.

Please refer to the size guidance on this product page for detailed measurements.

Size Guidance (Retro Jersey)

Note: All sizes are for reference only. Manual measurement may result in an error of ±1 inch.

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TOP FIT

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Season Information

Season/Year: 2005/06 Club: Arsenal Country: England Competition: Premier League / UEFA Champions League / FA Cup / League Cup Kit Type: Home Stadium: Highbury Manager: Arsène Wenger Captain: Thierry Henry Premier League Finish: 4th UEFA Champions League: Runners-up Final Highbury Match: Arsenal 4–2 Wigan Athletic Final Highbury Goalscorer: Thierry Henry Historical Significance: Final Arsenal Home shirt worn at Highbury Key Players: Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pirès, Freddie Ljungberg, Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie, Kolo Touré

The 2005/06 season marked the end of Arsenal’s 93-year association with Highbury. Arsenal had played at the stadium since 1913, and the club planned an entire season of commemorative events before moving to its new stadium for 2006/07. The redcurrant Home shirt was one of the most visible elements of that farewell.

On the pitch, Arsenal experienced an unusual domestic campaign. Arsène Wenger’s side finished fourth in the Premier League, securing the final Champions League qualification position ahead of Tottenham Hotspur. The decisive moment came on the final day, fittingly in the last competitive match ever played at Highbury.

That match, against Wigan Athletic on 7 May 2006, became one of the defining occasions in Arsenal history. Robert Pirès opened the scoring before Wigan responded with two goals, but Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick as Arsenal recovered to win 4–2. Henry’s 76th-minute penalty became the final competitive goal ever scored at Highbury.

The victory moved Arsenal into fourth place and secured Champions League qualification. After completing his hat-trick, Henry famously kissed the Highbury turf, providing one of the enduring images of the stadium’s farewell.

The season was even more remarkable in Europe. Arsenal produced their greatest UEFA Champions League campaign to that point, eliminating Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal on the way to the final. Against Real Madrid, Arsenal won 1–0 at the Santiago Bernabéu before holding the Spanish side to a 0–0 draw at Highbury. The second leg was Arsenal’s sixth consecutive Champions League clean sheet.

Arsenal eventually established a competition record of ten consecutive Champions League matches without conceding, with Jens Lehmann and a reshaped defence playing a major role in the run.

The semi-final against Villarreal was another historic moment. Arsenal won the first leg 1–0 at Highbury before drawing 0–0 in Spain, sending the club into its first UEFA Champions League final. The second-leg lineup included Lehmann, Campbell, Eboué, Touré, Ljungberg, Hleb, Fàbregas, Gilberto Silva, Reyes and captain Henry.

In the final against Barcelona in Paris, Arsenal were reduced to ten men after Jens Lehmann’s early dismissal. Sol Campbell nevertheless headed Arsenal into the lead before Barcelona scored twice late in the second half to win 2–1.

The campaign also marked the end of several important Arsenal careers. Dennis Bergkamp retired after the season, while Robert Pirès left the club. Arsenal even staged “Dennis Bergkamp Day” during the final weeks at Highbury, with Bergkamp scoring in a 3–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Above all, however, 2005/06 belonged to Thierry Henry. Now Arsenal captain following Patrick Vieira’s departure, Henry led the attack throughout the season and became the central figure in Highbury’s farewell.

Rec. Player Printing Options

Best Printing Choice: HENRY 14 Second Choice: BERGKAMP 10

We recommend HENRY 14 as the definitive printing choice for the Arsenal 2005–06 Home Retro Football Shirt. Thierry Henry captained Arsenal during their final season at Highbury and delivered another exceptional campaign, scoring 33 goals in all competitions and 27 in the Premier League. He became Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer during the season before producing a memorable hat-trick in the final competitive match at Highbury against Wigan Athletic. HENRY 14 combines outstanding season-specific performance, iconic status and a direct connection to the farewell to Highbury.

Our second recommendation is BERGKAMP 10. The 2005–06 campaign was Dennis Bergkamp’s final season as a professional, meaning his farewell as an Arsenal player coincided with the club’s farewell to Highbury. For collectors particularly associated with Arsenal’s Highbury era, BERGKAMP 10 is an especially meaningful alternative.