Why are Arsenal wearing white this weekend?

Lia Waelti of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Katie McCabe, Victoria Pelova, and Alessia Russo after scoring the team's second goal during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal Women and Watford Women at Meadow Park on January 14, 2024 in Borehamwood, England.
Arsenal are looking to continue their unbeaten run of games (Image credit: Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Arsenal's men and women's teams are both in action this weekend in their respective FA Cup runs.

The men's team take on Manchester United in the third round, while the women's team play Bristol City in the fourth round.

Both teams will be wearing an all-white kit to champion the club's 'No More Red' campaign, which has been running for the past four years.

Arsenal No More Red campaign: What is it?

A detailed view of the Arsenal all-white kit in support of the 'No More Red' campaign against knife crime and youth violence worn during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal Women and Watford Women at Meadow Park on January 14, 2024 in Borehamwood, England.

Players will be wearing all white this weekend (Image credit: Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The initiative, where Arsenal where white instead of red, is to address youth violence and knife crime.

As well as the different kit, the club raise awareness on social media and work within communities to support them.

Arsenal captain Kim Little believes better consistency in pay is required across the Women’s Super League.

Kim Little has led the team extremely well in a bumpy season (Image credit: Mike Egerton)

While this will be the fourth time the men's team have worn the all-white kit, it is just the second year the women's team are doing so.

Captain Kim Little said before wearing it for the first time in 2024: "Arsenal has so many great initiatives within the community where we use our platform for change. Whether it’s trying to reduce youth violence or providing opportunities for young people, our club is so committed to helping vulnerable people within our community thrive.

"As players, we want to be a part of the campaign however we can. We’re not the ones doing the groundwork to help combat knife crime, but we can show support for those people who are.

"Footballers can be held up as role models for the work we do on the pitch but it’s truly unbelievable how many unsung heroes this city has in terms of community work.

"There are so many inspiring volunteers who do incredible work. They take on responsibility without ever being asked to and they get so little recognition for their effort."

Both the men and women's teams are at home for their FA Cup ties. FourFourTwo believe cup competitions will be where Arsenal could win some silverware this season.

Both teams are playing on Sunday with the men playing United at the Emirates at 3pm GMT, while the women host Bristol City at Boreham Wood with a kick-off time of 12.30pm GMT.

Sarah Rendell
Women's football editor

Sarah joined the FourFourTwo team in September 2024 in a freelance role. She also writes for The Guardian, BBC and Rugby World where she specialises in women's football and rugby. Sarah has a bachelors degree in English and a master's in newspaper journalism.