The Gunners are continuing their ‘No More Red’ campaign (Picture: Getty Images)
For the third season in a row, Arsenal will wear an all-white kit when they host Liverpool in the FA Cup third round as part of their ‘No More Red’ campaign.
The Gunners are ditching their traditional red home kit for Sunday’s match at the Emirates and are instead wearing a completely white strip – something they have done in the FA Cup third round since 2022.
The ‘No More Red’ initiative, done in collaboration with kit manufacturer Adidas, is part of a campaign to keep young people safe and end knife crime.
In the past year, the number of knife or sharp instrument offences recorded by the police in London rose to approximately 12,786 – up from 11,122 in the previous year.
More teenage homicides were recorded in London last year than in 2022; of the 21 teenagers who died, 18 were stabbed.
Sixteen-year-old Harry Pitman was the last teenage homicide victim in 2023, having been stabbed and killed on New Year’s Eve in Primrose Hill, and he was commemorated by Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham during their own FA Cup win over Burnley on Friday night.
Arsenal’s ‘No More Red’ campaign is designed to build on the club’s work in the community with young people in the capital, providing more safe and positive spaces for London’s youth.
Arsenal first wore the kit against Nottingham Forest in 2022 (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s a lovely campaign, one that I really support,’ Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah told Sky Sports News prior to facing Liverpool.
‘Keeping kids occupied and keeping them busy always helps lower the rate of crime. I think it’s really important.
‘Growing up in areas where there’s not as much opportunity… we can show that you have those chances to get your mind off things and get away and get in that safe space where you feel at home and feel comfortable.’
The kit, which has been ‘drained of red’, will never be put on sale, but a number of replicas have been given exclusively to community champions since the initiative launched as reward for making a positive difference in London.
Arsenal first wore the kit against Nottingham Forest in January 2022 and then again last season against Oxford United, while the women’s team will don the all-white kit for the first time when they take on Watford in the FA Cup fourth round at Meadow Park next week.
While the kit may not be for sale, supporters can purchase a bespoke ‘No More Red’ community t-shirt from January 29 with 100 per cent of the retail price (£30) being donated to various charity partners.
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Speaking about the initiative last year, Arsenal legend Ian Wright said: ‘Every young person deserves the opportunity to express themselves. The opportunity to exist within a safe environment. The opportunity to live free from fear of violence.
‘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.
‘By giving young people more places to play sport, more support, and access to individuals who can inspire them, together we can help make a difference to young people in London.’
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