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A hat-trick of League titles (1934–39)

Arsenal had started the 1933-34 season solidly, but tragedy struck out of the blue in January 1934, when Herbert Chapman died suddenly from pneumonia. Under caretaker manager Joe Shaw, they retained the title that season; Hulme and James were both out with injury for a large portion, and so Arsenal were not the attacking side they had been the previous season (scoring only 75 in the League, compared with 118 in 1932-33).

New full-time manager George Allison (who had formerly been a director) signed new blood for the side, including midfielders Jack Crayston and Wilf Copping, and goalscorer Ted Drake. With these new signings Allison oversaw the completion of a hat-trick of League titles in 1934-35, and Arsenal were back to their attacking best; Drake scored a club record 42 goals that season. Such was Arsenal's strength that in November 1934, seven players started in the England side that beat World Champions Italy 3-2 (in the so-called "Battle of Highbury") were on Arsenal's books, a record that still stands.

Arsenal's ongoing success attracted larger and larger crowds. Arsenal's home, Highbury, was completely redeveloped, with the stands (designed by Archibald Leitch) demolished and replaced with modern Art Deco stands, which remain to this day; the East Stand is now a Grade II listed building. Meanwhile, the North Bank and Clock End terraces had roofs installed. The new stadium saw its largest ever attendance, 73,295, on March 9, 1935 for a match against Sunderland.

Arsenal's dominance of the decade was sealed with a second FA Cup victory in 1936, beating Sheffield United 1-0 with a goal from Drake. Arsenal faded in the League somewhat after the 1935 title victory, and were weakened by the retirement of Alex James and others such as Bastin being past their peak, but they still won a fifth League title in 1937-38.