Design harks back to club’s founding in Royal Oak pub in Woolwich in 1886

ALEX Song reveals the new look of Arsenal’s 125th anniversary kit which will be worn for home games next season.

The Gunners’ new strip will go on sale on June 9 and the most striking change from the current kit are without doubt the laurel leaves around the club badge.

They owe their appearance to part of the earliest known history about the club, which was founded in Woolwich in 1886 and known as Royal Arsenal.

The celebratory design features 15 laurel leaves to the left side of the club’s crest to reflect the detail on the reverse of the six pence pieces paid by 15 men to establish the club.

The 15 oak leaves to the right of the crest acknowledge the founders who would meet in the local Royal Oak pub. Underneath the crest is the word “Forward” – with the anniversary dates of 1886 and 2011 on either side.

The club was then called Woolwich Arsenal, before becoming simply ‘Arsenal’ after moving from south-east London to Highbury in 1913.