Before joining The Canaries at the start of the current campaign Steve had a trial period with The Gunners, so it was doubtless particularly satisfying for Arnold to show the Premiership outfit what they had missed out on as he produced a string of good saves to deny Arsenal.
The game however was far from a one-sided encounter with Norwich just edging the first 45 minutes.
Chris Martin went close with a free-kick after just three minutes.
Indeed City made most of the early running forcing a series of corners that saw the home side defend in numbers.
Bally Smart was causing the home defence all manner of problems with his pace, even if on more than one occasion the final ball did let him down.
Jamie Eames and Asmat El Ouargui join forces against an opponent
Bally Smart caused the Arsenal defence plenty of problems
With Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger an interested spectator as the second half got underway The Gunners stepped their game up with Arnold quickly called into action to make a couple of important saves.
In fairness to the Norwich back four they were doing a good job in keeping the Arsenal attack quiet, in particular Andrew Cave-Brown caught the eye.
City almost caught Arsenal on the break when substitute Seb Muddel raced clear down the right flank but his cross to the far post just evaded the outstretched leg of Robert Eagle.
Into the final minutes of the game and it was Arsenal who finished the stronger but there was just no way they could find a way past the in-form Arnold.
City Line-Up: Arnold, Cave-Brown, Gusterson, Quaye, Halliday, Bexfield, Eames [Muddel 70], Eagle, El Ouargui [Fisk 73], Martin, Smart.
Top Canary: Steve Arnold.
