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Arcobacter spp colonize in human and animals intestine and cause food-associated infections. Hence, characterization of their virulence potential and health impacts is required. Our subject was isolation and characterization of Arcobacter spp, from meat marketplaces. A total of 1297 fresh raw cattle meat samples were purchased randomly from various marketplaces in Baghdad, Iraq. One-hundred and twenty isolates were identified, including Arcobacter butzleri (A. butzleri n = 100) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (A. cryaerophilus n = 20). Susceptibility to antimicrobials was examined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Molecular investigation of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors was also conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Most of A. butzleri were resistant to tetracycline (72%), amoxicillin (69%), erythromycin (67%) and cefoxitin (66%), while 33% and 6% of them were resistant to ceftazidime and carbapenems, respectively. All were susceptible to gentamicin, colistin and fosfomycin. Fifty-five and nine isolates of A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were respectively multidrug-resistant (MDR). The existence of tetA , tetB , dfrA , sul1 , bla CTX-M1 and bla IMP included 61%, 58%, 57%, 34%, 46% and 3%, respectively. The virulence genes cadF , irgA , tylA, cdtC and cdtA genes were detected in all the A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. While , ciaB mviN and pldA genes were respectively detected in 91%, 88% and 84% of A. butzleri and 97%, 93% and 87% of A. cryaerophilus isolates. There was a significant relation between MDR and existence of virulence genes. Existence of pathogenic and drug-resistant- Arcobacter spp in raw meat is a threat for human health, necessitating confirmation of quality and safety of meat products. • One-hundred and twenty isolates were identified, including Arcobacter butzleri (A. butzleri n = 100) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (A. cryaerophilus n = 20). • Most of A. butzleri were multidrug-resistant (MDR) • All of them were susceptible to gentamicin, colistin and fosfomycin. • The tetA , tetB , dfrA , sul1 , bla CTX-M1 and bla IMP included 61%, 58%, 57%, 34%, 46% and 3%, respectively. • The - cadF , irgA , tylA, cdtC and cdtA genes were detected in all the A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. • There was a significant relation between MDR and existence of virulence genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]