Returning to military life, he joined Bonaparte for the Egyptian campaign, was wounded at Salahieh, modern day El Salheya bordering the Sinai Desert and also took part in the sieges of Jaffa and Acre and was promoted to captain.

In 1806 he was named Major-colonel of the Guard dragoons and fought in the War of the Fourth Coalition throughout 1806 and 1807 and was promoted to brigadier general on the field at the Battle of Friedland.

The next year, in 1808, Arrighi was made duc de Padoue (duke of Padua) and was sent to Spain with the cavalry of the Guard.

Returning to France, he served in the newly assembled Army of Germany and fought the Austrians at the bloody battles of Aspern-Essling and Wagram.

In 1810 he became a general inspector of cavalry and two years later he was given the command of all French troops on the North Sea coastline, from the Somme to the Elbe.