Arnaud, a Nederland, Texas, native played for Coach Butch Lauffer's Buffaloes from 1999-2001, earning first team all-America honors in 2001, when he led WT with a team-high 29 points (13 goals, three assists). That team compiled a 16-4-1 record, advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals. Arnaud’s total three-year record was 41-14-6, with a Lone Star Conference championship in 2000.
Following his junior year in 2001, Arnaud was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft’s fifth round – the 50th player selected overall. He finished his three-year Buff career with 73 points on 31 goals and 11 assists, and he was the LSC Offensive Player of the Year in both 2000 and 2001.
He made his MLS debut on July 31, playing the final twelve minutes at Dallas. He scored his first professional point on Aug. 28 in the Champions Cup semifinals and his first start in a Wizards uniform was on Sept. 10 at Columbus.
His first MLS goal came on June 7, 2003, against the MetroStars. His second career goal was on Aug. 22 of the same year, against Colorado, which was the quickest goal in Wizards history (33 seconds into the match), and it was fourth quickest goal in MLS history.
Arnaud had a breakout year in 2004, leading Kansas City to the MLS Cup Championship match, as he appeared in all 30 matches and scored 26 points (nine goals, eight assists). He tallied his first career hat trick against Dallas on July 3. In September, 2007 he was selected to the U.S. National Soccer Team’s match against five-time World Cup champion Brazil. Arnaud earned his first-ever cap on the national team, when he entered as a substitute in the 86th minute.
