As a Manchester United fan, praising Arsenal isn’t on the agenda – but with their No More Red campaign, they deserve all of our support.
There are few clubs I hate dislike more than Arsenal Football Club. For many United fans, few league games are more significant.
Historically, it’s been the clash of titans, with endless unforgettable moments seared into footballing memory: the dismissal of Arsene Wenger from the technical box, the signing of Robin van Persie by United, and the never-ending debate over who was better: United’s treble-winning squad (obviously) or Arsenal’s invincibles?
No other English clubs command more respect – none have a bigger, more powerful global reach than United and Arsenal.
Some things, though, are much bigger than football. On the streets of London, knife crime continues to be a problem. It shatters families, ruins communities – and makes waste of young, innocent lives. And for far too often, the commentary surrounding the issue has been largely farcical. Politicians, societal leaders and journalists are guilty of reducing a complex, multi-faceted issue to simple soundbites, with racist undertones and misleading information regularly used as tools to shape public opinion.
Last year, 30 teenagers were killed, a grim worst-ever total for the nation’s capital. Rightly, community leaders continue to be concerned about the prevalence of youth violence, accusing elected officials of failing to address the problem properly. The institutions charged with solving the issue seem woefully inadequate, with their methods often outdated and their assumptions, repeatedly wrong. For those far removed from the issue, the causes are ‘obvious’ – and by extension, the solutions ought to be, too. From the headlines and words used, you’re likely to conclude that young Black boys are uniquely vulnerable to end up in such situations. The results? High levels of stop and search and other methods targeted largely at that group.
Young Black boys (I am one) are sometimes expected to explain the reason for the fictional link between race and youth violence. The assumption being that this is a problem uniquely our own.
In a 2019 appearance on Good Morning Britain, Akala put it this way: “the social indicators for violent crime among young working-class street gangs have remained consistent for 200 years: relative poverty, masculinity, exposure to domestic violence, lack of education. So, the solutions are fairly obvious in many ways.” Race, then, has a limited – if any – role to play.
He goes on to compare the issue of youth violence in London to that of Glasgow (once called the most violent city in Europe), where the rates have dropped dramatically: “they took a public health, they took an inter-agency approach, they took an approach that saw violence in a holistic way.”
The point is that youth violence is far from a simple, straightforward issue. It deserves careful analysis, a determined approach and a united society. Solving the problem requires acknowledgement. Not in a way that panders to our individual biases or assumptions – but one that allows us to recognise the facts.
With their No More Red campaign, Arsenal are doing just that.
The likes of Idris Elba and club legend Ian Wright give the campaign a much-needed boost. Together with club kit makers, Adidas, they’ve created an all-white kit, replacing the club’s iconic red colours (for a one-off game). In its statement, the club said: “No More Red will build on Arsenal in the Community’s work with young people in the capital, as well as providing more safe, positive spaces for young people and spotlighting talented individuals who are making a positive difference in their community.”
More importantly, though, are the steps the club’s taking as part of the campaign: investment and creation of safe spaces, mentoring schemes and programmes, and access to valuable networks and resources. By taking a holistic approach, Arsenal are setting an example on how to help solve the issue.
It’s great, too, that the club’s young gunners are fully involved in the campaign, giving it a much-needed boost in publicity. The shirts won’t be sold. Instead, they’ll be gifted to persons and organisations doing the important work of addressing the issue of youth violence, allowing it to retain its value and symbolic significance.
To non-football fans, our obsession with the game can seem puzzling. When Pelé first uttered the phrase “the beautiful game”, I imagine he meant more than the 90 minutes of football. It includes the almost absurd passion of fans, the transformative nature of the game – and the ability to effect positive change.
No More Red is the beautiful game encapsulated. It shows the best of football, an almost unique ability to bring people from all walks of life together. When Arsenal stepped out in their all-white kit, that’s the point they were making. It’s a reminder that for all our differences, what matters most is our ability to unite on important issues.
The inspector’s infamous last speech in An Inspector Calls makes the same point: “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” With their simple, yet elegant campaign, that’s the message of Arsenal’s No More Red campaign.
My footballing loyalties will forever remain with the Red Devils – but on Sunday, when Arsenal stepped out in their all-white kit, they had my full support – and I hope they had yours, too.
We spoke to Simon Dent about his new agency, HERO – and its mission to help sport stars give back.