For the first time in recent memory, Arsenal will play a North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur wearing something other than red. According to the Athletic, the Premier League has decreed that the Gooners wear their black away kits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Sunday’s match, because they (ironically) have too much white in their home kits.
The North London Derby has always been basically a white-versus-red matchup, and while Arsenal’s home kits have almost always featured white side panels and white shorts, there was always enough contrast to differentiate themselves clearly from Spurs’ predominantly white shirts with blue shorts. But this year, for whatever reason, Arsenal’s addidas kits have some extra white on them (visible in the above header photo) that extends down the back of the shirts and that’s just TOO MUCH FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE, so they’ll wear their black shirts instead.
Apparently Arsenal considered switching to red shorts and socks for this match, but ultimately decided to just wear the away kits instead. The decision also means that Spurs will need to wear their blue away kits when they play the reverse fixture at the Emirates early 2025.
This is a silly story that really doesn’t mean much except to traditionalists and those who decide to get upset about these sorts of things, but it will make this particular NLD a little more notable and historic. And if we’re going to get all #banterrific about it, it does suggest that the extra white in Arsenal’s kits (along with the prominent BLUE ACCENTS ZOMG) might represent how Spurs continue to live rent free in their heads, or something, I guess, whatever.