"I can show my strength when I play in a match."
A promising talent ready to show his true abilities.MF 48 Yuta ARAI
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players, who are facing the opening, thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with? The players' stories, hidden in their love for the club, their thirst for titles, their desire to perform, and the roles they must fulfill──. Yuta ARAI, who officially joined Tokyo in the 2023 season. He also accompanied the team during his time at Shouhei High School, and showed his ambitious attacking skills, but he did not get the playing time he wanted last season. However, he is facing the situation that may be considered a "second year jinx" and is starting to gain momentum by responding to the coach's demands.
Looking back at Yuta ARAI in the 2023 season, the word "sophomore jinx" comes to mind. In the 2022 season, when he was a third-year student at Shouhei High School, he played in official matches as a JFA/J-League special designated player. With his aggressive dribbling and powerful shots, he brought momentum to Tokyo with fearless play. However, in his second season as a professional player, after playing in the third and fourth matches of the season, he was no longer involved in the league matches. Although he is a rookie, it is his second season playing for the top team. After facing the adult world fearlessly in the 2022 season, it was clear that it was no longer enough.
However, they are overcoming this difficult situation on their own. In the 2024 season, after going through camps in Okinawa and Miyazaki, they have started to be seen as potential key players through their training.
"Last season was a really tough season, but towards the end of the season, I felt like 'I can do this' during practice and gained confidence. Looking back on my usual practice and watching the movements of players in the same position, my range of play expanded. I also understood the type of soccer Peter wanted to play, and I had a good feeling about it."
Mentally strategic plays that take into account the relationship with players on the same side while understanding the situation of allies are pushing the evolution forward. This led to the desire to stay here for another year and achieve results, without choosing options such as "warrior training".
"The current style of soccer is to constantly move forward. We are conscious of actively breaking through the defense and I believe I can show my strength when I play in a game."
What Peter CKLAMOVSKI, the coach, is looking for is clear. For Arai, it is jumping into the center during crosses and hard work. As the standards are clear, the daily rankings change depending on how well they respond. It's a big opportunity, but also one where they can't let their guard down.
"I am not the fastest runner, so I tend to overthink things, but I believe my performance will improve even more if I can relax. I stayed here to grow and achieve results. I want to focus on my daily training and make an impression."
The unfinished prodigy is strong and quickly regaining confidence. The true potential of the lefty monster is yet to be seen.
text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
