Arnies-On For League One

Paul Arnison

The 28-year old defender will ink his contract later this week, once the paperwork has been finalised, to ensure his stay in Cumbria goes into a fourth campaign. Signed from Hartlepool, initially on loan, in October 2003, Arnison has gone on to make 91 starts (plus 19 as a substitute) for the Blues, netting just one goal in the process. That single effort coming with a 35-yard cracker against Torquay at home just two months into his United career, although it's quality and not quantity for "Arni" as that strike won him the Goal of the Season award in the Cumbrians' 2003-04 relegation-haunted campaign.

Arnison has come into his own this season and has cemented the right-back position for himself with some consistently solid displays. Those 46 starts (plus two as a substitute) have seen him recognised by the rest of the United lads for his battling efforts, the Hartlepool-born defender winning the Player's Player of the Season award as he was a vital cog in Carlisle's title winning campaign. That's wasn't the only prize for Arni at the annual awards dinner though as he also picked up the Most Improved Player of the Season award as voted for by Blues boss Paul Simpson. It's not all smelling of roses for the 28-year old however as Simpson has made no secret of his wish to sign a right-back over the summer, after the release of back-up man Lee Andrews, to strengthen the squad for United's 2006-07 League One season, so an interesting year ahead certainly awaits for Arnison.