The former Latvian international defender signed for Arsenal in 2000 after Tony Adams got injured and Wenger decided to splash out a fee of £1.35million. It is fair to say that Stepanovs did not turn out to be an able deputy for the Arsenal captain. The centre back enjoyed a solid start to his Arsenal career and put in some decent performances until Arsenal had a tough away game at Old Trafford. With both teams competing for the title this would be a crucial game and following a heavy 6-1 defeat, Arsenal's Premier League aspirations took a severe hit. The victory put Man United 16 points clear at the top of the table with ten games remaining. Stepanovs was part of a completely changed defence which Dwight Yorke took great delight in tearing apart with a 22 minute hat-trick. This was the beginning of the end of Stepanovs' Arsenal career and he would go on to make only 31 appearances for the club. The Latvian gained 100 caps for his national side as he meandered his way around the European club scene, popping up in Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Russia before retiring. He is currently the Latvia under 17s coach.
