Black Lives Matter: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta proud of players for instigating support

Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal players sent a "strong message" after instigating the decision to wear Black Lives Matter T-shirts and take a knee before their friendly against Brentford on Wednesday night.

Athletes across the world, including Premier League footballers Raheem Sterling, and Tyrone Mings have joined in support of protests triggered by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in US police custody last month.

• PL to support players who take a knee
• US Soccer ends kneeling ban during national anthem
• Black Lives Matter: Football's voices

On Wednesday, Arsenal's squad warmed up in specially-made T-shirts, which carried a variety of messages in support of black communities.

Bukayo Saka wore a shirt which read: 'My skin is not a crime', while Hector Bellerin who was pictured training beside wore a shirt that said: "I'm not black but I stand with you".

Arteta then took a knee alongside his team before the game, which they lost 3-2.

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Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News' The Football Show, Arteta revealed his players were behind the decision to wear the shirts and take a knee.

"The thing that I like most is that it came from them," Arteta said.

"I got a phone call from the captain asking to do that, I spoke with the club straight away and we were very clear that we wanted to support their intentions, everyone collaborated, we created the shirt.

"It was a really strong message and it is more powerful because it comes from them. They think they have to support these types of causes."

Arteta excited for 'special' Man City return

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says taking Arsenal to face his former employers Manchester City will be a "strange" occasion, but is hopeful of taking advantage of an empty Etihad stadium.

The Gunners' first game back, which features in a double-header on Sky Sports on June 17, sees Arteta meet former boss Pep Guardiola for the first time since leaving City to take the reins at the Emirates.

Arteta spent four years on the coaching staff at City, after retiring there as a player in 2016.

Arteta told The Football Show: "It is going to be strange, I can't deny that. I know everybody there and spent four magnificent years with those players and staff."

Van Aanholt '100 per cent prepared' to take a knee

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Patrick van Aanholt says he is "100 per cent prepared" to take a knee in his first game back in the Premier League.

The defender has told Sky Sports News he has been left "hurt" and "upset" by the death of Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

Van Aanholt has been vocal in his support for anti-racist movements that have followed and has been in an ongoing Twitter argument with media personality Katie Hopkins.

And in an exclusive Q&A with Sky Sports News he has now revealed he is ready to continue protests when the Premier League returns by taking a knee ahead of kick-off in Crystal Palace's first game back against Bournemouth on June 20.

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