Arsenal to wear black away kit against Tottenham in north London derby

Arsenal will be sporting their predominantly black away kit in the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday. The decision stems from a ruling by the Premier League and referee body PGMOL that Arsenal’s 2024-25 home kit, with its significant white elements on the back and sides, clashes with Spurs’ traditional home colours.

This marks a unique occurrence in modern football history, as it’s the first time Arsenal will don their away colours in a North London derby. The Premier League’s rule M.22 necessitates that teams wear visually distinct and contrasting kits for each match. Despite discussions about potential adjustments to Arsenal’s home kit, such as wearing red shorts and socks, a complete kit change was deemed necessary for optimal visibility on the pitch.

Interestingly, this situation will be mirrored in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium in January, where Tottenham will be required to wear their away kit, a light blue design drawing inspiration from the club’s 1980s away strips.

Arsenal’s black away kit for this season carries special significance and is designed to celebrate the club’s strong ties with the African diaspora in North London and beyond. It has already proven to be a lucky charm, having been worn during their 2-0 away victory against Aston Villa last month.

This unusual kit decision adds another layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated North London derby. While Arsenal fans might be disappointed not to see their team in their traditional red and white, the black away kit, with its symbolic meaning, will undoubtedly be worn with pride as the Gunners aim to continue their winning streak.