Arsenal reportedly banned a BBC drama from using the club's shirts in an episode due to a scene depicting Gunners supporters as criminals.

In an episode of By Any Means, police detectives, led by Warren Brown and Shelley Conn, trick an Arsenal fan by inviting him to an exclusive tour of the Emirates Stadium.

The fan, who has skipped bail on robbery charges, agrees and arrives at an office covered in 'Arsenal' and 'Emirates' stickers when he is arrested by detectives wearing the colours of the North London outfit.

The suspect in the show is told: "You are under arrest for being an Arsenal fan...anything you do say will be ignored."

During the scene, none of the actors wore official club shirts due to the Gunners' refusal to put their name towards an episode portraying Arsenal fans in that way.

The Independent quotes a spokesman from series producers Red Planet Pictures as saying: "Arsenal FC declined permission to use their branded shirts within the context of the script so production decided, on advice, to use shirts in a similar style instead."

The episode is said to have been watched by four million viewers.