Arce came out of
Club América's youth prospects, but never debuted there. Arce debuted for
Irapuato in a game against
Toluca on 28 October 2000. Arce played the last eleven minutes and helped preserve the 3–2 win over the
Choriceros. After being relegated to the bench for most of his first year at Irapuato, Arce's breakout season in 2001 in which he scored two goals and had five assists helped garner attention from other teams. Prior to the Primera División de México Clausura 2002, Arce was transferred to
Veracruz, where he remained until the following year. At Veracruz, he scored 8 goals while also dishing out 4 assists, asserting himself as one of the top scoring midfielders in the league. He was part of a Veracruz team that reached the league playoff semifinals in his last season at the club.
Selección de fútbol de México (Mexico national team) Despite his success at Veracruz, the team decided let him go, and Fernando was transferred to
Atlante before the Apertura 2003 season. In his lone year with the
Potros, he scored seven goals and had seven assists, while playing in 40 games - all but one in which he played in its entirety. After the Clausura 2004 season in which he helped Atlante reach the quarterfinals, Arce was once again transferred, this time to Morelia. At Morelia, Arce consolidated himself as a team leader, helping the team reach the semifinals during the Clausura 2005 season, while anchoring the midfield with three goals and two assists. Before the Clausura 2008, Arce moved to Santos Laguna For the Apertura 2011 he signed for newly promoted side
Club Tijuana, right in his hometown. He won the Apertura 2012 title with Xolos. He scored his first goal in the 2013 Copa Libertadores with a volley and the team went on to win 0–2 against Palmeiras. On 23 December 2013, in a friendly match against
Club America he was substituted out and his son Fernando Arce Juárez, came in as his replacement. On 25 May 2014,
Guadalajara announced Arce as their second signing for the season. ==International career==