My First Football Shirt: Philip Costa

Few teams have an away kit colour scheme that is arguably as iconic as their home colours, but Arsenal are one of those clubs! Philip Costa brought up Arsenal away shirts when we spoke to him for the latest in our My First Football Shirt series. 

We caught up with Philip, writer for the Set Pieces, to talk alternating Arsenal kits, bright orange Netherlands shirts and Jack Wilshere’s silky touch.

What was your first football shirt?

Arsenal away 🛫

🛒https://t.co/zRNvTkrZtW pic.twitter.com/1xt17XhT91

— Football Shirt Collective (@thefootballsc) November 11, 2021

My first football shirt(s) that I can remember were the Arsenal 2003/04 home and away kit – I got them both for my 7th birthday. I used to go to football training twice a week, on a Wednesday evening and on a Saturday morning with one of my neighbours. He also had the same two kits as me, and whenever we would go to football training, we would alternate our kits so that one of us was wearing the home jersey and the other was wearing the away one! Can’t be clashing.

What is your favourite football shirt?

Germany vs. The Netherlands, Euro '88 🇩🇪🇳🇱

Has there ever been a better kit match-up in international football? 😍 #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/oocA4zhBSb

— Football Shirt Collective (@thefootballsc) June 11, 2021

There are so many to choose from! I’m gonna have to go with the Netherlands home kit from 1988. It’s bright orange, it’s simple, and it was just Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten in full flow. Great kit.

What is your favourite goal?

Seven years ago today, Jack Wilshere scored the perfect Arsenal goal 😍

The best team goal in Premier League history? ⚽️pic.twitter.com/owFPh0sbj1

— GOAL (@goal) October 19, 2020

Jack Wilshere for Arsenal vs Norwich. This goal just symbolised what Arsenal under Arsene Wenger are all about, and to witness it live was a privilege and I will remember it forever. The awareness, the touch, the skill, the ability from all the players involved was just awesome, and probably at a time where Arsenal were full of confidence just after signing Mesut Ozil. Special mentions to Zidane's goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League – what a player.    

Thanks to Philip for speaking with us!

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