 Born in Sydenham, Arnott began his career as an amateur for West Ham United and played for them from 1954 to 1955.He had one season with Shrewsbury Town before joining Bournemouth in 1956, where he spent six seasons and made 176 League appearances before being transferred to Gillingham in August 1962.Arnott's last club was Dover from 1969 to 1976.