Arsenal to wear home kit with red shorts for the first time in almost 40 years against West Brom
Gunners decided not to mix and match from home and away strips but instead wear unique red shorts
ARSENAL will wear an all-red strip for the first time in almost 40 years against West Brom.
The Gunners are ditching their white shorts to avoid a kit clash tomorrow at the Hawthorns.
Premier League rules state: "When playing in league matches the players of each participating club shall wear strip which is of a sufficient contrast that match officials, spectators and television viewers will be able to distinguish clearly between the two teams."
Both sides' first strips include white shorts and white on their sleeves but as the Baggies are playing at home, they have priority in choosing what they will wear.
Arsenal's blue away and black third kit were deemed too much of a clash with West Brom's home colours.
And it is understood the Gunners prefer not to mix their own strips together, ruling out the use of shorts from either of those strips.
Arsenal players wore red shorts on a snowy Boxing Day clash against Southampton at Highbury in 1970 as white did not stand out in the winter weather.
The last time the shorts were worn was against QPR in 1978.
An Alexandre Lacazette double saw the Gunners beat West Brom 2-0 at home in September - wearing the standard home kit.
Nacho Monreal is doubtful for tomorrow's clash with an ankle injury, while Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are both out.