I dont think arena split guilds it provided alternate gear paths, wasnt too demanding for base gear (which was still outleveled by most of the raid gear) and could be done in your free time. Afaaik you could queue anytime, being in town. the removal of that requirement was also a mistake.

there was still a lot higher difficulty in that expac too, getting ready for dungeons, n' raids, and all that. You couldnt raid with early arena gear, with few exceptions. + u/acp_k2win/ The honor system was kinda jank