THE Premier League has paid homage to its Barclays roots by releasing a new “Thierry Henry-style” ball.
Inspired by Nike Total 90 footballs of the past, it will make its debut appearance when Aston Villa host Liverpool on Wednesday.
The final Nike Prem ball is an updated remake of the T90 Aerow I – used during the 04/05 and 05/06 seasons.
Chelsea fans will be buzzing to see it back as this ball saw the Blues win their first ever Prem title, and follow up again the following year.
The likes of Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard all scored some beauties with the yellow version.
The throwback colourway sees a classic all-white base, paired with some small added details to the classic T90 blue rings.
One fan said: “When I see this ball, I see Thierry Henry of Arsenal.”
It will replace the current Hi-Vis winter ball for the rest of the campaign and bring an end to Nike’s 25-year ball reign in style.
Puma are set to become the official ball supplier of the top flight from the 2025-26 season.
But fans have joked that the Prem should “run it past Mikel Arteta first” after the Arsenal manager’s complaints last month.
Arteta suggested that the “tricky” Puma ball used by the EFL in the Carabao Cup had been a factor in his side’s shooting woes during a 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat by Newcastle.
The Spaniard said the Puma balls “fly a lot”, admitting “there’s details that we can do better”.
Pressed further, Arsenal’s boss added: “It’s just different. It’s very different to a Premier League ball.
“You have to adapt to that because it flies different.
“When you touch it, the grip is very different as well, so you adapt to that.”
And fans have used the news of a new Nike ball to poke fun at Arteta.
One joked on X: “Someone give it to Arteta and Arsenal to make sure it flies correctly.”
A second said: “Please tell me Arteta has checked it first.”
The Prem has used Nike balls since 2000 but a contract dispute saw the decision to switch to Puma from next season in what was described as a “lucrative” deal.
SunSport understands that an exact version of the Carabao Cup ball has already been developed and agreed as the new Prem model – despite the complaints by some managers about it this season.
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