Steve Arnold

Steven John William Arnold (born 22 August 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

Arnold began his career at Norwich City, signing professional terms in 2007 before his release the following year. He subsequently played for Grays Athletic and Eastleigh, before joining League One club Wycombe Wanderers in January 2010, spending two years there and being named Hayes & Yeading United's Player of the Year during a loan spell in the 2011–12 season. After leaving Wycombe in May 2012, he signed for League One club Stevenage, before joining Forest Green Rovers in June 2014. After two years at Forest Green, he spent the 2016–17 season with National League club Dover Athletic.

Arnold returned to the Football League with Gillingham in August 2017, though predominantly as back-up, before moving to Barrow in January 2018. He spent the 2018–19 season at Shrewsbury Town, and in June 2019, joined League Two club Northampton Town, helping the club earn promotion via the 2020 League Two play-offs. He then joined National League club Southend United, where he was named the club's Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season, before moving to Sutton United in June 2023. After two seasons, he signed for Hemel Hempstead Town in May 2025. Arnold also earned one cap for the England C team in February 2009.

Early life Born in Welham Green, Hertfordshire, He is a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur. He joined Norwich City's youth system later that year, He signed a one-year professional contract on 11 May 2007, with the option of a further year, in part due to the emergence of goalkeepers Declan Rudd and Jed Steer. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season in a 3–1 defeat away to Weymouth. After starting the first three matches, and left the club upon the expiry of his contract in June 2009.

Without a club at the start of the 2009–10 season, Arnold spent a week on trial with Brentford in October 2009, playing 45 minutes in a reserve match against Queens Park Rangers. No move followed, and he joined Conference South club Eastleigh on non-contract terms on 10 November 2009. With both of the club's goalkeepers injured, Arnold made his debut the same day in a 2–1 away victory at Dorchester Town,

Wycombe Wanderers and loan spell Arnold joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a six-month contract on 22 January 2010, following a two-week trial. He served as second-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the 2009–10 season and signed a one-year contract extension on 21 May 2010.

Arnold joined Conference Premier club Hayes & Yeading United on a one-month loan on 5 August 2011. He debuted in a 3–1 home victory over Alfreton Town on 13 August 2011, saving two first-half penalties. Arnold played in all six matches during the initial loan, saving a further two penalties, and his spell was described as "hugely successful". The loan was extended until the end of the 2011–12 season, He resumed his loan two months later, assisting Michael Thalassitis' goal with a long clearance in a 1–0 victory at Bath City on 21 February 2012. Arnold made 31 appearances that season and was voted Supporters' Player of the Year. He was released by Wycombe at the expiry of his contract on 9 May 2012.

Stevenage Following his departure from Wycombe, Arnold joined League One club Stevenage on a free transfer on 25 May 2012. Manager Gary Smith stated that goalkeeping coach Gary Phillips, who had previously worked with Arnold at Grays Athletic, had recommended signing him. He made his debut in a 3–2 Football League Trophy defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge on 4 September 2012, and earned his first league start in a 2–1 away victory over Notts County at Meadow Lane on 2 October. Arnold signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until summer 2015, and made 32 appearances in all competitions during his first season. and was released on 17 May 2014.

Forest Green Rovers Arnold signed for Conference Premier club Forest Green Rovers on 6 June 2014. Manager Adrian Pennock highlighted his professionalism and presence upon signing, and stated he would provide competition for first-choice Sam Russell. eventually making his debut on 21 February 2015, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over AFC Telford United. He replaced Russell for the remainder of that season, making 14 appearances as Forest Green were defeated in the play-off semi-finals by Bristol Rovers.

Expected to start the 2015–16 season as first-choice, Arnold suffered an ankle injury in a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa. He returned in November 2015 and played every match thereafter, making 31 appearances in all competitions as Forest Green reached the 2016 National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium, where they lost 3–1 to Grimsby Town on 15 May 2016. Although contract negotiations were reported as ongoing, he was released by the club on 3 June 2016. Arnold joined National League club Dover Athletic on 16 July 2016. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw away to Wrexham. He kept nine clean sheets in 32 appearances as Dover finished sixth in the National League, and was released at the end of his contract in June 2017.

Following his departure from Dover, Arnold signed for League One club Gillingham on a one-year contract on 17 August 2017. The move reunited him with manager Adrian Pennock, who had signed him previously at Forest Green. He made two first-team appearances during the first half of the 2017–18 season, both in EFL Trophy victories, before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 16 January 2018.

Barrow and Shrewsbury Town A day after leaving Gillingham, Arnold joined National League club Barrow on an 18-month contract. He debuted in a 3–1 defeat to Torquay United on 3 February 2018 and made 17 appearances during the second half of the season as Barrow avoided relegation by a single point. He left the club in the summer of 2018.

Following a one-week trial with League One club Shrewsbury Town, during which he impressed manager John Askey in two pre-season friendlies, Arnold signed a two-year contract on 19 July 2018. He made his debut in a 1–1 EFL Trophy draw with Manchester City under-21s on 28 August 2018. Initially second-choice goalkeeper behind Joel Coleman, he made his first league start in a 2–1 away victory against AFC Wimbledon on 3 November 2018. He established himself as first-choice goalkeeper thereafter, making 32 appearances before a hamstring injury in a 2–0 defeat to Portsmouth on 23 March 2019 curtailed his season.

Northampton Town Arnold signed for League Two club Northampton Town on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 5 June 2019. He was selected ahead of David Cornell for the opening match of the 2019–20 season against Port Vale but was substituted after 65 minutes with an injury sustained while saving from Tom Pope. Scans revealed a tendon tear, ruling him out for three months. He played in all three play-off matches as the club secured promotion to League One, defeating Exeter City 4–0 in the behind-closed-doors final at Wembley Stadium on 29 June 2020.

He began the 2020–21 season as first-choice, but was dropped by manager Keith Curle following a 2–1 away defeat to Plymouth Argyle on 20 October 2020. Arnold regained his place in December, but injury prevented him from playing during the second half of the season, limiting him to 12 appearances that season. He was released upon the expiry of his contract in May 2021. After a three-week pre-season absence due to contracting COVID-19, he made his debut in a 1–0 away victory against King's Lynn Town on 21 August 2021. Arnold was Southend's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2021–22 season, making 43 appearances in all competitions and earning the club's Player of the Year award in May 2022.

He started the first four matches of the 2022–23 season, but was withdrawn from the starting line-up during the warm-up ahead of a match against Oldham Athletic in August 2022 due to injury. Initially thought to be a back problem, scans revealed a hip cyst, requiring a minor operation.

Sutton United Arnold signed a two-year contract at League Two club Sutton United. He made his debut in a 2–2 EFL Cup draw with Cambridge United on 8 August 2023, although was substituted at half-time due to a hip injury. He became Sutton's first-choice goalkeeper under new manager Steve Morison during the second half of the 2023–24 season, making 18 appearances as the club were relegated to the National League on the final day of the season. He signed a one-year contract extension on 21 May 2024. Arnold sustained an injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign, He made his only appearance in a 5–0 Herts Charity Cup victory against Enfield on 24 July 2025.

International career Arnold was called up to the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, for a friendly against Malta under-21s in February 2009. He appeared as a second-half substitute in a 4–0 victory on 17 February 2009.

Career statistics

Honours Northampton Town EFL League Two play-offs: 2020

Individual Hayes & Yeading United Player of the Year: 2011–12 Southend United Player of the Year: 2021–22