Arsenal wore an all red kit for their Premier League match against West Brom on New Year’s Eve, the first time they are doing so in 40 years! The Gunners were away at the Hawthorns for their New Year’s Eve clash which ended in a 1-1 draw, but it was the North London club’s kit that caught the eye during the clash which saw Arsene Wenger’s men concede a late-minute penalty. Arsenal last wore red shorts against QPR in 1978, and memorably before that in 1970 in order to stand out against the wintry conditions in a snowy Boxing Day clash against Southampton. At the Emirates, fans are used to seeing red shirts and socks in the Arsenal home kit, but mixed with white shorts.
West Brom’s white shorts, though, risked a slight kit clash on Sunday, and Arsenal therefore opted to bring out a kit that got fans reminiscing about the old days.
Arsenal had two other kit options ahead of their red short choice, with a blue away kit and a black third kit.
Both, though, were deemed too similar to West Brom’s home colours, and Arsenal decided against mixing home, away and third kits to make a suitable strip.
Premier League rules state: ‘When playing in league matches the players of each participating club shall wear strip which is of a sufficient contrast that match officials, spectators and television viewers will be able to distinguish clearly between the two teams.’