Positively regulates the expression of the arcABDCR operon under anaerobic conditions, by binding to the consensus motif 5'-TGTGAN(6)TCACA-3', thus playing an essential role in arginine catabolism. May also control the expression of genes encoding proteins which are involved in anaerobic metabolism. Can bind cyclic AMP. Induced by arginine and anaerobic growth during the stationary phase. Repressed under aerobic conditions independently of the growth phase and by glucose catabolic repression.