Competing in three Summer Olympics, he won a silver medal in the C-2 1000 m event at Barcelona in 1992.

He started rowing at Furå kano- og kajakklub.

In the beginning he wasn't seen as a great talent, due to his lack of size.

Nielsson also won eight medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with six golds (C-2 1000 m: 1989, 1993; C-2 10000 m: 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993), one silver (C-2 500 m: 1993), and one bronze (C-2 10000 m: 1986).

Since his retirement from elite sports, Arne Nielsson has worked as a professional coach and he has been writing several books about cognitive coaching and mental training with hint to sportspeople as well as business people.