He created and co-wrote the bestselling football-themed Specky Magee series; the acclaimed historical novels The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, A Great Escape and The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan; and the picture books Pasta!
A year later, he relocated to the UK and was appearing in the West End when he began writing his first book in his dressing room.
Lyon told Arena that he would like to help write the book and they worked together to create Specky Magee.
[2] Arena adapted his 2017 novel The Boy and the Spy for the stage in Geneva, before it was performed at St Margaret's Berwick Grammar School.
From 2018 - 2022 Arena released his CBCA notable middle-grade historical books Fearless Frederic and A Great Escape.