Spectators have expressed their displeasure at Arsenal’s decision not to display the numbers on their white shirts during their FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool, the BBC reported.
The Gunners have announced they will wear the ‘No More Red’ kit for the match as part of a campaign against knife crime and youth violence launched in January 2022.
While the initiative won praise for Arsenal’s community work, viewers found fault with the design, particularly the white numbers on the back of the players’ shirts, lacking sufficient contrast for clear visibility on television.
One viewer expressed frustration and questioned the decision, stating: “What idiot decided to put white numbers on the back of Arsenal shirts, seriously.”
Criticism spread on social media with comments such as: “Who at Arsenal thought white numbers would work well with white shirts?” and concerns about identifying players without clear numbers: “I understand why, but the fact that the kit numbers on Arsenal’s shirts are not black is not great for being able to tell who is who.”
However, not all opinions were negative, as some comments celebrated the purpose of the initiative. Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah has expressed his pride in supporting the campaign, highlighting its positive impact on the community and reducing crime. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta supported the kit design, praising the club’s initiative to create a safer environment and draw attention to the campaign, highlighting its positive contributions over the past three years.
