Tom Whittaker was in charge of the Arsenal football team at the start of the 1950 – 1951 season and they faired reasonably well in the top flight, finishing off in fifth position. They suffered elimination in the fifth round of the FA Cup, losing against Manchester United. The 1951- 52 season saw the Gunners reach the final of the FA Cup, meeting Newcastle United in the final; however they suffered a 1-0 loss against the North East England football club.
The 1952- 53 season was a glorious one for Arsenal as they won the league title for the first time in five years. Arsenal had one of the finest sides in Europe that featured Doug Lishman, Dennis Evans, Alex Forbes and Don Roper.
Arsenal crashed during the 1953- 54 campaign as they finished the season off in a very disappointing 12th place, their lowest finish since 1947.
They had little luck in the FA cup during 1954 and 1955 as they were defeated against Norwich City and Wolves respectively. The 1955- 1956 season saw the arrival of Vic Groves at the club, a player who soon settled in the Arsenal midfield. The Gunners finished the season off in a creditable fifth position. They reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup; however they suffered heartbreak in losing 3-1 against Birmingham City.
After nine years in charge at the club, Tom Whittaker left the managerial post at Highbury and was replaced by Jack Crayston in the managers hot seat, a manger who would go on to spend two years in charge at the club. His two seasons in charge saw Arsenal finish off the season in 5th and 12th position respectively. The arrival of midfield super star, John Barnwell in 1957 provided some light in the Arsenal side. George Swindin took charge at the club during the 1958 – 59 season and the response was immediate, the Gunners were emphatic in finishing the season off in third place.