His Cricinfo profile, meanwhile, declares that "More than any other player, Arnold was responsible for the elevation of Worcestershire to first-class status."

Arnold bowled at upwards of medium pace, with variations, and seamed the ball consistently.

He took full toll advantage of his physical stature, bowling with an upright action and, like Bill Bowes, obtaining considerable lift off the wicket.

As a batsman, Arnold had a strong command over almost every stroke in the book — most of them he played with considerable power — and an impressively dense defence.

He was a member of three Test series-winning England teams, the most noteworthy of which came under the captaincy of Plum Warner in 1903–04, a series he kicked off with the removal of openers Reggie Duff and Victor Trumper before the score had reached double figures.