A outside right, Kirchen had to fight for a first team spot with Joe Hulme (who started the 1936 FA Cup Final ahead of him), but by the start of the 1936-37 season, Kirchen was the Gunners' first-choice outside right.
He returned to the Arsenal side the following season, 1934–35, and won his third league winners' medal with 16 appearances, although by now injury and losses of form meant he was not an automatic first choice, sharing duties with Pat Beasley and Alf Kirchen.
ALF (TV series) | Alf Landon | Alf Clausen | ALF | Alf | Kirchen | Alf Garnett | Alf Kirchen | Alf Dubs | Alf Tupper | Alf Ramsey | Alf Morris | Alf Kjellin | Alf Eivind Saxlund | Alf Common | Alf Bayrle | Alf Andersen | John Alf Brown | Alf Ward | Alf Stewart | Alf Skowron | Alf's Imperial Army | Alf, Rhineland-Palatinate | Alf Henrikson | Alf Hedeman | Alf Haynes | Alf Goonan | Alf Engen | Alf Bøe | Alf Baker |
However, his first-team opportunities became limited, thanks to the good form of Joe Hulme (whom Birkett had been signed to replace) and new signing Alf Kirchen.