 Despite a sizable price tag being placed on him by Sunderland Arnott eventually joined Sheffield United on a free transfer, signed by his former Sunderland teammate and now Blades manager Ian Porterfield in 1982.Arriving at the start of the season he struggled to make an impact, spending most of the campaign out on loan, initially to Blackburn once more followed by a spell at Rotherham United.The following season however, Arnott came into his own and was virtually ever present as United gained promotion from the then Third Division.