The Gunners only finished fifth in the last pre-war competitive season .
Gunners were nevertheless elected to rejoin the First Division after the First World War in 1919 -- 20 , at the expense of local rivals Tottenham .
The Gunners only finished fifth in the last pre-war competitive season , but they were nevertheless elected to rejoin the First Division after the First World War in 1919 -- 20 , at the expense of local rivals Tottenham .