 Arnott was a talented midfielder with excellent vision and ball control, who came to prominence during Sunderland's First Division campaign in the 1976-77 season.He was one of a trio of young players to emerge that season, along with Gary Rowell and Shaun Elliott and remained a key player for several years, helping the team to promotion in 1980.With the arrival of new manager Alan Durban however, Arnott fell out of favour and was loaned to Blackburn Rovers for a spell in 1981 before being placed on the transfer list valued at £350,000.