Why Arsenal will wear all-white kit against Manchester United in FA Cup

Arsenal will wear an all-white kit for today's FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United as part of the club's "No more red" campaign to raise awareness around youth violence.

The club continue to partner with kit manufacturer adidas for the initiative which sees the team wear a special strip for one game every January that seeks to shine a light on the work of the club’s community in helping keep children in north London safe. United , meanwhile, will wear their blue away kit.

And midfielder Mikel Merino says he feels proud to be associated with a club that is trying to help its community.

The Spain midfielder said: “I'm not from London, but what I try to do always is to learn from the place where I am now. What I have learned so far is that Arsenal is a club which is really, really close with its fans, the fan base and its community.

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“For me as a player, it's just a really proud moment to see that the club is trying to connect with the community in this aspect where knife violence is something that everyone wishes to stop.

“Our community, our fans are one of the main reasons why we play and why we want to win games, not only for ourselves, but also for them to be happy.

“They give us really the extra strength that we need in every single game. So, obviously, wearing this kit is going to be a really proud moment for us, trying to represent and trying to show and fight for their wellness.”

Mikel Arteta has also backed the campaign - even though the manager admitted there is an impact on the players when they are performing in an unfamiliar colour.

Image: Offside via Getty Images) Offside via Getty Images)

“It does change, it’s not something that we’re used to,” he said. “I think it's for the right reason, for the right motive and lets use it in the right way.

“It’s great because we have so many people putting so much effort in to try to improve lives, to many people’s lives’ quality, creating safe spaces, safe environments.

“And when you get an opportunity to raise that in such a big occasion we have to do it. Well done to the club well done to everybody who is part of it because they put so much into it and the impact is huge.”

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