Although the 1939–40 Football League season began as normal on 26 August 1939, teams only played three matches.

Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 and the Football League was abandoned.

[1] Arsenal played six friendlies away from home as they negotiated the use of White Hart Lane and as the Wartime League was being organized.

[2] Football resumed on 28 October 1939, with the clubs being organized into ten regional leagues.

Arsenal won the 'A' league in 1939–40, and were to find further success in future wartime seasons.