STEPANOVS SIGNS FOR ARSENAL

ARSENAL have completed the signing of Latvian international defender Igors Stepanovs from Skonto Riga for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £1 million, and manager Arsene Wenger revealed that Tony Adams may not be out for as long as was first feared.

The 24-year-old will help to shore up The Gunners' back-line after the injury to Adams and with Matthew Upson not yet back from a cruciate ligament injury.

The player has been granted a work permit, having made 37 international appearances for Latvia, and Wenger was happy to have added to his squad.

"We have signed Igors to strengthen our defensive unit," Wenger told the official Arsenal website. "He is an experienced international and a very competent defender who will prove to be a great asset to the club. He will play an important part in this season's campaign."

The player himself is pleased to have been given the chance to further his career in England, and said: "I am delighted to be joining one of the top clubs in Europe.

"Arsenal is a great club and I am looking forward to playing in the same team as so many excellent players and also such a great league as the English Premiership."

The player, who Dennis Bergkamp has likened to Steve Bould, is now in line to make his debut in the game with Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Also, Latvian manager Gary Johnson has revealed that he expects winger Anders Rubins to sign for a Premiership club, but that it would probably not be Arsenal, who have a multitude of left sided players.

"He'll probably be seen in England quite shortly," Johnson told SkySports.comTV.

Meanwhile, Wenger had some positive news about Adams. The influential central defender injured his ankle in England's friendly draw with France, and it was feared that he could be out of action for around two months, but the Frenchman has allayed those fears.

"Happily it looks like only a short-term problem for Tony," Wenger said.

"It is sad for him and a huge blow for us to be without him again because he is such an influential player and has worked so hard to be ready for this season.

"But physically he is very sharp and although he won't play in our next two games there is still the slight possibility he might be available for the match in Prague.

"At the moment that still looks a little too early for him but after that I believe he has a good chance to come back."