Why Arsenal are wearing different colour socks vs Nottingham Forest following PL request

Jan 17, 2026 - 17:30

Arsenal will wear an amended version of their away kit against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, following a Premier League request.

The Gunners head to the City Ground aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table to a provisional nine points after Manchester City’s defeat at Old Trafford earlier on Saturday.

The Gunners will wear their traditional blue away kit for the match at the City Ground

Arsenal are hoping they can continue their good run of away form having won on their last five occasions across all competitions.

They come into the game on the back of Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup with the games coming thick and fast in a month which sees Miekl Arteta’s men compete in four competitions.

With focus back on their quest for Premier League glory, fans will see a slightly different look about the team when they take to the pitch at the City ground.

Why did the Premier League make the request?

Arsenal are set to wear their blue away kit for the trip to the Midlands but will don blue shorts and grey socks in a move that came at a request from the Premier League.

The request was made to avoid colour blindness issues.

Ahead of his side’s clash, Arteta paid tribute to Forest boss Sean Dyche and the improvements made since his arrival at the club in October.

“A top coach, really good at what he does,” the Arsenal boss said.

“You can see straight away in the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they are constantly making you so experienced in the league. So a very tough match.”

Arsenal can ill-afford to look too far ahead despite a run of key fixtures on the horizon.

The Gunners face a crunch Champions League clash against Serie A leaders Inter on Tuesday before welcoming Manchester United to the Emirates next weekend.

Arsenal wore grey shorts and socks in the win against Athletic Club in September

Mikel Arteta is hopeful of having some of his injured players back for the trip to Nottingham Forest[/caption]

And Arteta will be hoping to have some of his walking wounded back for an important period of fixtures which could leave his side well placed for the final run-in.

William Saliba and Leandro Trossard shook off knocks to start at Stamford Bridge in midweek.

While Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman have been sidelined.

Asked if it was possible that he could have some of his injured star back for Saturday’s clash, Arteta said: “It might be.”

“So I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now, and we will see if somebody is available for the weekend. I cannot tell you.”