If your aim is to send the message to the world, make sure it’s powerful and somewhat striking.That’s precisely what Arsenal FC did by changing their kit colour into all-white as a way to promote an anti-knife crime campaign. Mikel Arteta’s slot will play their first fixture in those unorthodox shirts on Sunday at Nottingham Forrest in their FA Cup 3rd round tie.𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 ⚪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. pic.twitter.com/jnmE4b0GpC— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 7, 2022 Arsenal have played in red ever since the club was founded as Dial Square Football Club in 1886.But against Forest, they will wear a unique white ‘home’ strip – a colour more often associated with their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur – for the first time in their history.The kits, manufactured as usual by Adidas, will not be commercially available. Instead, the shirts worn by the 10 starting outfield players will be gifted to organisations that help counter knife crime and youth violence.No More Red.A very special shirt created to support young people to rise above youth violence. 🤍@AdidasLondon @Arsenal 🙌🏼💫 pic.twitter.com/SUGd5tHsEg— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) January 7, 2022 In 2021 the number of teenagers killed in London in a single year reached its highest level since 2008 despite a national lockdown. Of the 30 teenagers killed last year, 27 were stabbed to death.The former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is a part of the joint initiative between the club and Adidas, which is called ‘No More Red’, and said on Friday: “We can never accept the 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.”SUN: 20.10: (5.80) NOTTINGHAM FOREST (3.80) ARSENAL (1.62)
