Arsenal will play in a one-off all-white strip versus Nottingham Forest as part of the launch of the No More Red out-reach and anti-knife crime drive with Adidas.
Arsenal are taking off the red from their iconic jersey and will wear a custom all-white kit for the very first time in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The kits will not be available commercially and will be accorded only to individuals who are making a positive changes in the community.
The alliance with the club’s kit manufacturer will build on the work of Arsenal in the Community to keep adolescent safe by providing firm investment for safe spaces to play football, and mentorship opportunities that will see local youth leaders supported by creative talent consisting Ian Wright and Idris Elba.
It comes following last week’s evidence of a record 30 teenage knife crime mortality across London in 2021.
“The idea that Arsenal are going to come out in an all-white kit and say ‘No More Red’ will hopefully make people think ‘Hang on, what’s going on here?’ – then look further and try and find out more,” actor Idris Elba notified.
“I hope it makes an impact that ripples into other football clubs and inspires other collaboration ideas, and investment in practical things to help young people, whether that’s football pitches, or youth centre like the one I went to in Forest Gate where I played sport and where I actually fell in love with film.”
“We need to give young people, especially teenagers, another option and an alternative to knife crime and gangs. It’s about what we can offer them as an option.”
The 10 shirts worn by Arsenal’s field players in the cup tie will be granted to organizations working in the community to address some of the fundamental causes of knife crime and youth violence. The Don’t Stab Your Future initiative – employing fashion to assist people working to keep kids away from crime – is one such organization.
