He played for Lincolnshire sides Grimsby Town and Lincoln City; with The Mariners he scored the third goal in stoppage time to earn Grimsby promotion back to the Football League in a 3–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers at Wembley Stadium in the National League play-off final.

[citation needed] Arnold came up through the youth team at Mansfield Town,[2] and made his debut against Hereford United in October 2005.

[4] After a trial at Grimsby Town in July, he signed for Hyde United in the Conference North on a free transfer in August 2009, but with a sell-on clause in his contract stating that if he was sold in the future, Mansfield would gain some of the profits.

His competitive debut for Hyde came with his first goal in a 1–0 win against Stafford Rangers, and then in the very next game he netted again in a 1–1 draw with Fleetwood Town.

[10] Arnold began to play an integral part in Alfreton Town's upturn in form from the halfway point in the season by contributing goals and assists, and was subsequently named runner-up for the supporters' player of the year for his part in sustaining the team's Conference National status.

In June 2013 Alfreton manager Nicky Law confirmed that Arnold was unlikely to remain with the club for the following season as he was keen to play League football again.

[12] He trialled at former club Mansfield Town but was not offered a contract and instead joined Cambridge United on a two-year deal[when?].

[16][17] Although he started his Grimsby Town career injured he went on to establish himself firmly as a first team starter and helped guide them to the play-offs, where he scored two wonderful goals in the 1–2 play off semi-final win over Eastleigh.

[18][19] The club narrowly missed out promotion by losing out in the 2015 Conference Premier play-off final at Wembley Stadium to Bristol Rovers on penalties, although Arnold set up Lenell John-Lewis's opening goal with a run from the half-way line and then went on to draw 1–1 after extra time.

[21] Over the course of the 2015/16 season Arnold once again played an integral part in taking Grimsby to the play-off and FA Trophy finals.

[22][23] At the end of the season, he was offered new terms, but after mulling over the contract, Arnold decided to seek a fresh challenge.

[35] Arnold joined Bourne Town in August 2020, and was appointed joint player manager alongside Simon Dawes.

[41] On 1 November 2023, Arnold was appointed joint manager of Sleaford Town Football Club, working alongside Tom Ward.