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The war (1939–45)

With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, all first-class football in Britain was suspended. Arsenal Stadium was requisitioned as an ARP station, with a barrage balloon operating behind the Clock End. During the Blitz, a 3,000lb bomb fell on the North Bank, destroying that stand's roof and setting fire to the scrap that was being stored on the terrace. With Highbury closed, Arsenal instead played all of their home matches at White Hart Lane, home of their rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Wartime matches do not count in official statistics; competitions were played on a regional basis and teams often did not complete a full season; many footballers served in the armed forces as trainers or instructors and were away from their clubs for long periods of time, so they would often star as "guests" at other clubs. Arsenal won the Football League War Cup South in 1943 and the London or Southern league titles in 1941, 1943 and 1944.

In November 1945 Arsenal played one of the most extraordinary and controversial matches in their history, against a Dynamo Moscow side touring the country. With many players still serving abroad, Arsenal were severely depleted and used six guest players, including Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen, which led Dynamo to declare they were playing an England XI (though three of the side were actually Welsh). The match kicked off in thick fog and the slick and technically proficient Dynamo won 4-3, after Arsenal had led 3-1 at half-time. Though the score is generally agreed upon, after that accounts of the match diverge; English reports alleged Dynamo fielded twelve players at one point, and pressurised the referee into abandoning the match when they had been behind; in turn, the Soviets accused Arsenal of persistent foul play and even alleged George Allison had bet money on the result (a claim that was later retracted). With the fog obscuring much of the action (even the identity of the goalscorers is disputed), not to mention the language barriers and mutual suspicion (the match took place with the Cold War brewing in the background), it is unlikely that any accurate account of what really went on will ever emerge.