was sidelined for two months, due to an injury he sustained during the club's reserve match against Manchester United Reserve. After returning from injury in December, Arca didn't make his return to the first team until on 11 January 2003, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Blackburn Rovers. Three days later on 14 January 2003, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup replay. Since returning to the first team, Arca had a run in of first team for the rest of the season despite being on the sidelines on three occasions. At the end of the 2002–03 season, the club was relegated to the Championship, finishing at the bottom of the Premier League, and he went on to make eighteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. At the start of the 2003–04 season, Arca missed the first three matches, due to being linked a move from the club and expected to leave Sunderland. His first appearance of the season came on 23 August 2003 against Preston North End, starting the whole game in the left–back position, in a 2–0 win. Having regained his first team place, playing in the left–back position, he kept two clean sheets in the next two matches, including scoring his first goal of the season, in a 4–0 win over Bradford City. Since returning to the first team, Arca regained his first team place, playing in the left–back position. His performance was praised by Manager Mick McCarthy and Gary Breen for making a huge difference in recent matches. His second goal of the season came on 27 September 2003, in a 2–0 win over Reading. A week later on 4 October 2003, however, he was sent–off for the second bookable offence, in a 1–0 win over Sheffield United. Arca was sent–off for a second bookable offence once again two months later on 2 December 2003, in a 1–1 draw against Wigan Athletic, resulting a two match ban. After returning to the first team, he scored three goals throughout January. In the January transfer window, Arca was linked a move away from Sunderland; which Manager McCarthy said he's not for sale. But Arca insisted on staying at the club. Following this, he then scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 3–1 win over Walsall on 3