Arsenal will wear a unique all-white kit for Sunday evening’s FA Cupthird round clash away at Nottingham Forest in a bid to raise awareness for a campaign against knife crime in London.
It will make for quite the sight considering Arsenal have worn some form of red as their home strip for the entirety of the 136-year history, though Sunday’s game will see them proudly wear the white ‘home’ shirt for the first and only time.
The shirt is manufactured by usual kit makers Adidas and will be unavailable to purchase for fans.
The 10 outfield players who will don the shirt will all gift the kit to multiple organisations that help counter knife crime and youth violence.
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To confirm the news, Arsenal tweeted to their millions of fans around the world the following: “Last year saw a record number of teenagers murdered in London.
“It’s time to make a real change, through real action. Our white shirt is not for sale, not for profit. No More Red.”
As Arsenal’s promotional video revealed, 2021 saw knife crime as a big contributor to the highest number of teenagers murdered in the capital on record.
Club legend Ian Wright is a key part of the joint initiative between the Gunners and Adidas, called “No More Red.”
The Arsenal icon said on Friday: “We can never accept loss of life through youth violence as ‘normal’ in our city and it’s so important that we all work together to create a better environment for young people.
“The shirt will become a symbol of positivity in the community, given to individuals and organisations who are giving back to the community and creating a positive environment for young people.”
Hollywood superstar and renowned Arsenal fan Idris Elba is also one of the faces of the campaign and echoed Wright’s sentiments.
“From the time young people leave school, until the time they’re at home with family, there is often a void, a dangerous spike of nothing to do, where nothing can easily turn to something dangerous,” Elba explained.
“If there continues to be no options for this after-school period, we will always see gangs form. Let’s create options for these young people.”
The Gunners make the trip to the City Ground almost four years exactly to the day they were dumped out of the FA Cup at the same stage, on the same ground by the same opposition.
Forest ran out 4-2 victors in a third round clash against Arsenal back in January 2018 in what was to be Arsene Wenger’s last ever game in the competition.
Arsenal to wear all-white kit vs Nottingham Forest in FA Cup third round clash
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