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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Why are Arsenal wearing white shorts against Athletic Club in Champions League opener?

A different kit selection choice for Arsenal this evening - (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have a slightly different look for their Champions League opener against Athletic Club.

Arsenal and Athletic Club met in a pre-season fixture at the Emirates Stadium last month, but this is the first-ever competitive showdown between the two sides.

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The Gunners, who reached the semi-final of the competition last season, have won all five of their most recent Champions League games against Spanish sides, with three of those victories coming away from home.

A similar outcome this evening would be enough to begin the league phase of the Champions League on a positive note as Mikel Arteta bids to end the club’s long wait for a major trophy this season.

As Athletic are the home side today, Arsenal will be in their away kit due to a colour clash. However, there’s a slight change to their look.

Why are Arsenal wearing white shorts against Athletic Club?

Arsenal are not wearing this season’s new all-navy blue away kit in its entirety against Athletic Club.

Instead, the Gunners are wearing white shorts with the blue away kit.

The reason for this is due to strict UEFA regulations regarding kit clashes, so this is the solution to avoid any confusion with Athletic Club.

This isn’t the first time Arsenal have worn alternative shorts away from home in the Champions League. In fact, they done so as recently as March during their round of 16 first-leg tie against PSV Eindhoven.

On that evening the Gunners wore their white shorts alongside the popular black away kit, and won the fixture 7-1.

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