A Geelong local, Arklay made his senior debut 1933. He was a tough and physical player, mostly used on the half back flank and also as a ruck rover. In both 1938 and 1940 he won Geelong's best and fairest and was a premiership player in 1937.[2]
Arklay left the club after the 1941 VFL season which he had spent as captain. In 1944 however he made a comeback, as captain-coach before retiring at the season's end.[1]
Arklay later coached in rural Victoria for a number of years at - Casterton, Lascelles, Warracknabeal, Woomelang-Lascelles and King Valley,[3] winning four premierships during that time - Casterton - 1945, Lascelles - 1946[4][5] and 1949[6] and Warracknabeal in 1947.[7]