Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Arca said that he would leave Middlesbrough if he wasn't getting first team football at the club. But Arca suffered an injury at the start of the season that saw his playing time restricted. He soon regained his first team place, playing in the midfield position since regaining fitness. Arca then set up the opening goal in the game for Leroy Lita, in a 1–1 draw against Nottingham Forest on 21 November 2009; which was followed up by setting a goal for Dave Kitson, who scored twice in the game, in a 2–2 draw against Peterborough United. He found himself in a competition with Adam Johnson, which saw Arca placed on the substitute bench and this last until Johnson's departure to Manchester City in January. However, Arca, himself, was plagued with injuries that saw him missed four matches at the beginning of 2010. It wasn't until on 16 February 2010 when he made his return to the first team from injury, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 2–0 loss against Blackpool. After missing one match, Arca made a return to the first team against Watford, where he set up an equalising goal for Lita, in a 1–1 draw. At the end of the 2009–10 season, which saw Arca made thirty–six appearances in all competitions, the club failed to gain promotion from the Championship.