Arsenal UNITE to wear all-white kits for ‘No More Red Campaign’; taking a stand against youth violence

The all-white kit was designed by a young Arsenal community member Nellie Rose.

Arsenal UNITE to wear all-white kits for ‘No More Red Campaign’; taking a stand against youth violence

Arsenal men's and women's team to wear the all-white kit in their next game for the 'No more red campaign. (Image via Arsenal.com)

Premier League giants, Arsenal‘s men and women teams plan to sport all-white kits in their upcoming home games, supporting the ‘No More Red Campaign’ against youth violence. The Gunners are seeking to promote the initiative, which aims to protect young individuals from knife crime.

The ‘No More Red Campaign’ was launched by the Gunners in 2022 in collaboration with their kit manufacturer, Adidas. The campaign showcases almost forty years of local community efforts, aiding in the protection of thousands of young individuals from knife crime and violence. The campaign has also emphasized safer sports spaces and promotes positive community initiatives. The all-white kit, crafted by a young Arsenal community participant involved in the club’s 2023 No More Red Social Action Project, is part of this campaign.

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The Arsenal men’s team will first wear an all-white kit on January 7, 2023, at the Emirates Stadium for their FA Cup clash against Liverpool. Meanwhile, the women’s team will also don the all-white kit on January 14 in their FA Cup fourth-round game against Watford at Meadow Park.

The men’s team tried the all-white kit in January 2022, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest but later winning 3-0 against Oxford United. Fans can buy the special Arsenal community T-shirt from the club’s online store.

The £30 from each sale of the ‘No More Red‘ T-shirt goes to the Ben Kinsella Trust, set up in memory of a teenager fatally stabbed in 2008. Adidas is also funding the renovation of two sports grounds in Islington as part of the campaign.

Arsenal women criticized over ‘lack of diversity’ among players, no black or ethnic-minority players in 2023-24 squad

In October, Arsenal received backlash for sharing a photo of their 2023-24 women’s team squad on social media. Observers noted that among the 27 players, none represented the black community or ethnic minorities. However, the club acknowledged this lack of diversity and vowed to make necessary enhancements.

Arsenal men's team (above) and women's team (below) 2023-24 team picture
Arsenal men’s team (above) and women’s team (below) 2023-24 team picture. (Image via Arsenal.com)

Arsenal’s women’s team, led by captain Kim Little and overseen by manager Jonas Eidevell, notably lacks representation from ethnically diverse communities, reflecting a broader issue of minority players’ absence in English women’s football. This pattern extends to the international stage, evident in the England women’s squads for the 2022 Euros and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Lionesses comprised only three ethnically diverse players in their Euro 2022 squad, while only two ethnically diverse players during the World Cup.

The Arsenal women’s squad presents a sharp contrast to the men’s team, which boasts players from various ethnically diverse backgrounds. Players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, William Saliba, Eddie Nketiah, and Takehiro Tomiyasu represent different ethnic groups, fostering diversity within the team. Despite pledges by the women’s team management to enhance diversity, visible changes have not yet materialized.

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