Arconada was born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, and started coaching while still in his teens, with youth sides Juveniles de La Salle and Danak.

After being in charge of the reserve team for several seasons, he coached Real Sociedad's main squad for a couple of months in 2006, being one of three managers during the campaign in La Liga.

[1] After managing lowly Burgos CF and attaining promotion to the top division in 2008 with CD Numancia, Arconada signed with UD Almería.

[2] After a preseason without defeats,[3] he was sacked in late December 2008 following a 1–0 loss at El Molinón, Sporting de Gijón's grounds,[4] being replaced by Hugo Sánchez.

In the summer of 2009, Arconada returned to Numancia again in the second level, leaving his post at the end of the season after leading the Soria side to the eighth position.