By Keith Hackett

10th Jan, 2022 | 10:59am

Ex-Fifa official: Arsenal have committed 'big faux pas' as 'disaster' footage analysed

The one-off kit Arsenal wore during their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest yesterday (9 January) was for a “great cause” but was a “disaster” for spectators.

That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the all-white kit that Arsenal wore at the City Ground.

The unique strip was part of their No More Red campaign against youth violence after London saw a record 30th teenage homicide in a year.

The kit had the same design as Arsenal’s home jersey but was drained of the red, including white numbers with no name.

Asked for his verdict on the kit after analysing the game with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, Hackett said: “Disaster.

“When a team decides to play in a different colour kit it pushes it through to the competition. I can only assume some administrator at the Football Association has seen that it is for a good cause and nodded it through.

“You couldn’t see the numbers and they are there to help the spectators, the media and everybody else recognise the players and be able to see them.

“I think it was a big faux pas on the part of Arsenal and the FA.

“It could be that it was rushed through but I just wonder what the thinking was to have white numbers. Those numbers could have been red to signify Arsenal’s colours.

“I just don’t understand it but it’s a great cause.”

Arsenal lost the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Forest substitute Lewis Grabban.

The Championship side will now travel to current holders and local rivals Leicester City in the fourth round.

In other news, an insider has revealed Arsenal will ‘suffer massively’ as Tottenham are set to ‘take advantage’ of a ‘big blow’.