He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 313 games and 211 goals during 16 seasons, most notably at Benfica.
Barreirense, first appearing with the senior team at only 15 against Sporting Clube de Portugal, in a testimonial match for Francisco Câmara.
During his spell with Benfica, Arsénio scored 360 in 446 competitive games, including a hat-trick in a 7–2 home win over Sporting in 1946, and five against FC Porto six years later in the inauguration of the Estádio das Antas.
He helped to the conquest of ten major titles, including three Primeira Liga trophies.
Arsénio left for G.D. CUF in 1955 after the arrival of manager Otto Glória, as the Brazilian had been hired to hasten the club's professionalization and the player wanted to keep his post as an industrial worker.