Arsenal will wear their away kit for the first time in 38 years in a north London derby on Sunday, as their red-and-white home shirt was deemed to clash with Tottenham’s colors.
The Gunners will sport their black away kit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), ruled that Arsenal’s home shirt “features too much white.”
Discussions were held about the possibility of Arsenal wearing their home shirt with red shorts and socks, but no agreement was reached.
As part of PGMOL’s decision, Tottenham will also wear their away kit when they play at the Emirates Stadium in the reverse fixture in January.
“The PGMOL and Premier League ruled that our 2024-25 home kit features too much white, thus clashing with Tottenham’s traditional colours, even with the option of red shorts and socks for us, which was also discussed,” said Arsenal.
“As a result, for the first time in recent ‘NLD’ history, we’ll be wearing our change colours.”
Arsenal Shirt Collection on X, external say the club last wore their away shirt in the derby during the 1985-86 season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side enter the north London derby sitting fourth in the Premier League with seven points from their first three games, while Tottenham are 10th with four points.
The Gunners have secured victories on their last two visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.