Arsenal's crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium will proceed without a key summer signing. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, a significant addition to Mikel Arteta's backline, has been omitted from both the starting lineup and the substitute's bench for Wednesday night's decisive clash.

This absence continues a brief spell on the sidelines for the defender, who also missed Arsenal's surprising 2-1 Premier League home defeat to Bournemouth this past weekend. The news will be a disappointment for fans hoping to see their new star in a high-stakes European night, especially with the Gunners holding a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Portugal.

However, there appears to be a silver lining for the title-chasing Gunners. Reports suggest Calafiori's condition is not serious, raising hopes that he could be available for selection for this weekend's monumental Premier League showdown against Manchester City—a match that could define their domestic season.

With Calafiori unavailable, the defensive responsibilities will fall to the selected backline as Arsenal looks to secure a semi-final berth and keep their dreams of a historic double alive.