This is all about long range, right? The range you get depends on how bright the IR led shines.
Putting a 100 ohm resistor in series with the led will protect your Arduino but make the led dimmer and reduce its range.
I experimented with a 330 ohm resistance in series and I had to point the rounded end of the emitter at the receiver no more than 1 cm away (yes, 1 CENTIMETRE!) before I got reliable reception.
You need an amplifying circuit:
An ordinary telly remote transmits across the 30ft diagonal of my living-room.
10 ft should be a doddle.