Arsenal and Spurs forced into unprecedented kit change for North London derby after PGMOL and Premier League ruling

 

Arsenal have confirmed they will make recent North London derby history with their kit against Spurs.

Arsenal have been forced into an unprecedented kit decision for the North London derby this weekend, the club have confirmed.

The Gunners face Spurs away from home on Sunday and are looking for a third straight win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But unlike in previous times, Arsenal will not be lining up in their traditional colours.

That’s because the PGMOL have ruled that Arsenal’s kit contains too much white, clashing with Spurs’ home strip.

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There were discussions about wearing red shorts and socks as a solution but on their official website, the club have confirmed they will sport their new black away kit.

For the same reason, Spurs must wear their away strip when they travel to the Emirates Stadium in January.

A statement from Arsenal read: “This season’s north London derbies will have a similar feel to them with the usual excitement and passion, however they will have a different look than seasons gone by.

“That’s because both teams will be wearing their away strips in the fixtures this campaign, after 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.

“As a result, for the first time in recent ‘NLD’ history, we’ll be wearing our changed colours, with our black adidas away kit being donned at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where we’ll aim to clinch a third-straight victory at the venue.”

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

The away strip, which is black with hints of green, red and white, was debuted in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on 24 August.

Arsenal have not worn an away kit in a North London since the 1985/86 season when they sported a yellow shirt with navy shorts.

Mikel Arteta’s side look set to be without a number of their regular starters for the clash amid a mixture of injuries and suspensions.

Declan Rice is banned following his red card shown against Brighton, while captain Martin Odegaard hobbled off in tears after suffering an ankle injury playing for Norway against Austria.