Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Super Cup | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1680 | 6.86 |
 J1 League | 27 | 4 | 2 | 1314 | 7 |
 AFC Champions League Elite | 8 | 0 | 1 | 472 | 6.84 |
Scout report
N. Arai is a 29-year-old defensive midfielder at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, rated 33.6 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 195th of 377 on scout potential in the J1 League. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option this season (38.4% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.81 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Arai.
Judged on this season alone, Arai graded 26 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 21st of 49 of the 49 defensive midfielders in the J1 League, on 4 goals, 2 assists and 2.808 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 18 → 26). Over the 4 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2023/24.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 34, 31st of 49 of the 49 defensive midfielders in the J1 League. At 29 Arai is in his prime years, and a market index of 6.4 reflects that trajectory.
Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.
Output in context · Sanfrecce Hiroshima finished 4th of 20 · an upper-table side
2.81 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 6 clean sheets across 27 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (4th of 20) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 4 goals and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.41 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
Watch points
- Game time. Only 38.4% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 33.6, Arai carries the 31st-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the J1 League of 49. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.81 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.1× now → 0.8× projected in three years).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
