Why Arsenal and Man Utd will not be wearing red for their FA Cup third round clash

Neither Arsenal nor Manchester United will wear a red kit during their FA Cup third round tie at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Premier League clubs will go head-to-head for a place in the fourth round of the historic cup competition. The Gunners are the record winners with 14 crowns.

While United, who have won the cup 13 times, will be looking to retain their title having won last season’s edition of the competition with a 2-1 victory against Manchester City back in May 2024.

But something unusual will happen during Sunday’s match.

Usually, when Manchester United and Arsenal face each other the home side wears their red home shirt.

However, on Sunday, United will sport their blue away kit.

While the Gunners are set to don an all-white kit in support of the anti-knife crime initiative 'No More Red' which helps fight knife crime and youth violence on the streets of London.

The murder of a 16-year-old Arsenal fan, Ben Kinsella, in 2008 led to the creation of the campaign, which now partners with both the football club and shirt sponsor Adidas.

Tomorrow’s fixture will be the fourth time Arsenal’s men’s side have worn the all-white shirts.

The north London-based side have won just once while wearing the kit, against Oxford United in the FA Cup in 2023.

While, they lost against Liverpool in 2024 and Nottingham Forest in 2022.

Arsenal players in the all-white kit during a FA Cup tie against Liverpool in January 2024 (Credit:Getty)

The message that those involved hope to resonate with youngsters is that no more blood should be shed as a result of knife crime.

18-year-old Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly gave his thoughts on the campaign.

"It's just so important that we start to advocate," he told Sky News.

"Arsenal live by their principles to help people and help people grow, help people stay together. And just this campaign, we really help people out."

Head of Arsenal in the Community, Freddie Hudson, said: “No More Red provides a unique opportunity to highlight four decades of our local community work that has helped to keep thousands of young people safe.

“Young people face multiple challenges as they grow up in today’s world and we don’t have all the answers, but we are confident that by acting together and shining a light on the support network available across our community, we can make a significant contribution to the lives of our participants.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also gave his thoughts on the campaign, he described the initiative as "great" explaining how the club "have to do it" to raise awareness of the topic.