Riccardo Calafiori remains an important member of the Arsenal squad, which made his absence from the match against Sporting Club particularly notable.The Gunners were able to complete the task without him in the team, yet his unavailability was still a concern, given his growing importance to the team. Arsenal will naturally want him involved in as many matches as possible, especially during a decisive stage of the season.Absence ExplainedArsenal now turn their attention to another major fixture this weekend as they travel to face Manchester City. It is a match of huge significance, and the club will hope to have as many key players available as possible.According to Standard Sports, Calafiori missed the Sporting fixture as a precaution rather than because of a serious injury. The report indicates that Arsenal chose to manage his workload after concerns that he was not at his optimum physical level.By leaving him out, the club aimed to avoid aggravating the issue and to give the defender the best chance of recovering in time for upcoming fixtures. This cautious approach reflects Arsenal’s desire to keep him fit for the demanding run-in.Doubt for Manchester City ClashCalafiori could still be involved against Manchester City, although a final decision is expected to be made closer to kick-off. His availability will depend largely on how he trains in the build-up to the game and whether he shows full readiness.The City fixture is one of Arsenal’s most important matches of the campaign, meaning the club is unlikely to take unnecessary risks. If Calafiori is not fully fit or unable to perform at his highest level, he may once again be left out of the squad.Arsenal will want their strongest possible side available for such a crucial encounter, and Calafiori’s condition will therefore be monitored carefully until the final stages of preparation._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsWhy Calafiori did not play for Arsenal against Sporting17 April 2026, 22:00Keown chooses the team he wants Arsenal to face in Champions League final17 April 2026, 21:00Chelsea set to battle it out with Arsenal for La Liga star17 April 2026, 20:00The post Why Calafiori did not play for Arsenal against Sporting appeared first on Just Arsenal News.