Following an impressive high school career, Arzate was already garnering interest from professional scouts, but elected to attend Compton Community College, a route which would be later followed by Gaucho alum Tino Nuñez.
Arzate was recruited to finish his junior and senior years at the University of California, Santa Barbara following his stellar offensive output with Compton Community College.
The total was good for 3rd on the team, surpassing eventual professionals in David McGill, Neil Jones, Alan Keely, Tony Lochhead, Nate Boyden.
With points aplenty, UCSB received a first round bye into the NCAA playoffs and beat previous tournament opponent California 2–0 at Harder Stadium, before falling 3–2 in double overtime at St. John's University in the Sweet 16.
He caught the eye of Sigi Schmid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, who in turn drafted him with the 2nd pick of the 3rd round (22nd overall) in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
With the Galaxy, Arzate made an appearance in a pre-season friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes in his old stomping ground Harder Stadium, home of the UCSB Gauchos.