Arsenal vs Basel: Why are the Gunners wearing their away kit at home in the Champions League?

Arsenal will take to the field tonight in their yellow away strip

Granit Xhaka wear sport the Arsenal away strip against Basel on Wednesday night (Getty)

Arsenal will face Basel in their away kit despite playing at home in this evening’s Champions League clash, with the Gunners set to take to the field in their change strip in a rare sight at the Emirates Stadium.

The sight of clubs wearing away or alternative third strips for little or no reason is not uncommon in this day and age, with the determination to push out as many different kits as possible helping to drive merchandise sales across the globe.

However, it’s a rarity that a team will display their away kit at home, which raises the question: why are Arsenal playing in their away kit?

It starts with Basel’s home kit, which is red, blue and black and is deemed to clash with the Arsenal home kit. But Uefa will not allow Basel to wear their away strip, which is completely white, as it will clash with Arsenal’s sleeves.

That means Basel need to wear their third kit, but here lies another problem. Basel do not have a third kit, as they are one of very few Champions League clubs who keep to a home and away kit each season.

To solve the situation, Arsenal have decided to wear their away kit despite having home advantage, and Emirates Stadium regulars will see the side run out in the bright yellow strip in what is likely to be a one-off this season.