What's going on?! Arsenal forced to wear Chelsea's socks as massive WSL showdown is delayed for bizarre reason

All was about to get underway in the battle between two of the league's top three, separated by just three points ahead of the game, when kick-off was delayed for seemingly unknown reasons. It soon became apparent that the reason was a kit clash, despite the two London rivals having rather opposing kit colours of blue and red.

How can a clash between a team in blue and a team in red cause a kit clash? Well it soon became apparent that the issue was the socks. Arsenal had been warming up in the white socks that go with their home kit, but are the same colour as the socks that go with Chelsea's home kit.

The whole thing became even more bizarre when Arsenal re-emerged for a short warm-up before the revised kick-off time of 7.30pm. With the team having only travelled with their white socks, the Gunners had to borrow some from their London rivals and came out of the tunnel wearing black socks with a blue trim, those which go with Chelsea's away kit.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall revealed after the game that the Gunners learned that the socks would not be acceptable for use as they were preparing to walk out for the game. Asked whether the replacement footwear had been bought for the Chelsea shop, the Swede told reporters: "I was not involved in that process, how that was resolved. We had other people doing that. I know we eventually had kit on that was approved to allow the game to go ahead. The only thing I’ve been told is there’s a clash of colours. I have no idea why that was."

This is not the only meeting between these two sides which will occur this month. Not only are they locked into a tight title race, they are also set to face off in the Continental Cup final on March 31.