Domestic-league season · Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
| 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 |
Arai's current-season form is up 33% on last season (Season 18→24), while his Rating eased 46→34. His peak season for form remains 2023/24 (Season 28).
| Season | Club | Apps | G | A | Match | RTG | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima · 4th | 27 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 34 | 24 |
| 2024/25 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima · 2nd | 35 | 7 | 0 | 7.3 | 46 | 18 |
| 2023/24 | Albirex Niigata · 10th | 24 | 2 | 0 | 6.86 | 45 | 28 |
| 2021/22 | Cerezo Osaka · 12th | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6.66 | 42 | 4 |
Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year.
N. Arai is a 29-year-old defensive midfielder at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, rated 33.6 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 483rd of 874 in the J3 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 24 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 24th of 56 of the 56 defensive midfielders in the J3 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 → 24). Over the 4 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2023/24.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 34, 36th of 56 of the 56 defensive midfielders in the J3 League. At 29 Arai is in his prime years, and a market index of 14 reflects that trajectory.
Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.
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.
With a Rating of 33.6, Arai carries the 36th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the J3 League of 56. 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.
The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~26), then tapers with age. At 29, Arai sits on 14, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Arai's projected Rating — 33.6 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.
No transfer news found for this player.
