How to spot a fake 2005-06 Arsenal Nike home shirt with photos

One of the most common fake shirts we see on the market is the iconic 2005 Arsenal home shirt made by Nike. It was worn in the last season at Highbury and on their run to the Champions League final and unique because of the simple design and the colour. You can picture Thierry Henry wearing it standing over the corner flag.

How do you know if your Arsenal shirt is authentic or a rip-off? Here are 5 tips to help you spot a fake 2005 Arsenal Nike shirt.

The writing on the back of the shirt

Turn the shirt over and check the writing on the back that says “Highbury 1913-2006”. Notice the quality difference between the real and the fake shirt. The number 3 in 13 is often a clear stand out error on a fake.

The Highbury wording around the badge is also a giveaway. On fake Arsenal shirts the writing on the crest is often too big and bunched. Also keep an eye out for too much gold on the fake badges. The only gold should be the stitching not on the inner of the actual badge itself.

Where the shirt is made

Check to see where the shirt is made. The real deals are made in Morocco and often the fakes will say Portugal. This will be under the collar and printed on the shirt.

The shade of the shirt

The redcurrant shade of the 2005 Arsenal shirt is unique. In this photo you can see a clear difference in the shade of the shirt between an authentic and fake shirt. The real Arsenal version will often have a stronger and bold colour than the fake. When placed next to each other it really stands out.

Labels and tabs

Finally the black Nike tab on the inside of the shirt is really important. This should have a silver thread running through it. If you zoom your camera lens in on this you'll be able to see the Nike hologram. If the shirt is missing this tab it is likely not real.

Material feel

The material feel is another giveaway. If the material feels very light and coarse it is often a reproduction.

Authentic Arsenal Nike shirts

Shop authentic Arsenal Nike shirts. Every one is hand-checked and guaranteed genuine:

2008/09 Fabregas #4 Arsenal Nike Match Issue Away Shirt (Signed)

Genuine Nike — £799.99

2011/12 Henry #12 Arsenal Nike L/S Home Shirt

Genuine Nike — £119.99

2008/09 Arshavin #23 Arsenal Nike Away Shirt

Genuine Nike — £109.99

2008/09 Clichy #22 Arsenal Nike Away Shirt

Genuine Nike — £39.99

Browse authentic Arsenal shirts →

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FAQs

How can I tell if my 2005-06 Arsenal home shirt is fake?

Check five things:

• the quality of the "Highbury 1913–2006" text on the back
• the crest, where the wording shouldn't be too big or bunched and only the stitching should be gold
• the "made in" label, which should say Morocco
• the strength of the redcurrant colour
• the black Nike tab inside, which should have a silver thread and hologram

Material that feels very light and coarse is another warning sign.

Where were genuine 2005-06 Arsenal home shirts made?

Genuine 2005-06 Arsenal Nike home shirts were made in Morocco. It's printed under the collar. Fakes often say Portugal instead.

What should the "Highbury 1913–2006" text look like?

On a genuine shirt it's neat and cleanly printed. On fakes the lettering is often lower quality, and the "3" in 1913 is a common tell because it's frequently misshapen.

Why is the 2005-06 Arsenal home shirt redcurrant?

Arsenal swapped their usual red for redcurrant to mark the final season at Highbury. It's a nod to the colour the club wore in its first season there in 1913. Genuine shirts have a strong, bold shade, while fakes are often duller.

What is the Nike tab inside the 2005 Arsenal shirt?

It's a small black Nike tab on the inside with a silver thread running through it. Zoom in with your phone camera and you should see the Nike hologram. If the tab is missing, the shirt is likely not genuine.

Are Football Shirt Collective's Arsenal shirts authentic?

Yes. Every shirt is hand-checked before listing and photographed in detail (10+ photos per shirt), and we're rated Excellent on Trustpilot. There are no fakes and no exceptions. Browse authentic Arsenal shirts here.

Buying one? Read our guide to buying a classic Arsenal shirt, our complete guide to Arsenal shirts and our guide on how to spot a fake Arsenal shirt. For more real-vs-fake Nike examples from the same era, see our guide on how to spot a fake Barcelona shirt.