He played from 1996 to 2015 and represented Partick Thistle, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale, Grimsby Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Airdrie United and Annan Athletic.

During Partick Thistle's spell in the Scottish Premier League between 2002 and 2004, Arthur was recognised by the Scotland national team manager of the time Berti Vogts.

[12] After returning from injury, Arthur continued to keep his first team place and at the end of the season, signed a new one-year after the club exercised their option to extend his stay.

[15] At the end of the season Arthur left the club, although this was at a time of financial difficulties for Accrington who were nearly wound up by HMRC for failing to pay tax bills which were reported to total over £300,000.

[16] At the time of his departure it was reported by local press that the financial problems the club were experiencing played a part in convincing Arthur that he had to leave.

[18] In the first three-months of the season, Arthur was the first choice goalkeeper but soon lost his first team place to loan signing's Tom Heaton and Frank Fielding.

Incidentally an injury to his understudy Colgan meant that goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson was called up to replace Arthur for at least one game before Sheffield Wednesday's Richard O'Donnell was signed.

Arthur returned to action on 20 September, against Fleetwood Town only to injure his thumb in the warm up, meaning O'Donnell was forced to fill in once again.

[32] Sources:[33][34] Arthur received a late call-up to the Scotland national team alongside Maurice Ross of Rangers in April 2003 for a friendly against Austria after an injury forced Rab Douglas and Paul Lambert to withdraw, but he didn't feature.