SOCCER:Arsene Wenger could be ready to hand new signing Andrei Arshavin his debut in Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham — and declared Arsenal had "nothing to hide" over the Russian's protracted transfer.

The move to land his number one target went right to the wire, with official confirmation of the deal being pushed through ahead of the deadline not coming until almost a day after the window had closed.

Reading manager Steve Coppell has labelled the whole saga “a sham”, after the matter was not, as had been expected, raised at Thursday’s meeting of the Premier League board.

Wenger, though, maintains all the correct procedures had been followed and revealed Arshavin may be handed a baptism of fire against the Gunners’ fierce rivals at White Hart Lane.

“It was done in the last minute, but regularly. We have nothing to hide,” the Arsenal manager declared.

“We just did the deal very late in the afternoon, sent it to the Premier League and they ratified it.

“Of course, we want everybody to question the deal. If the deal was not right we would have cancelled the transfer and accepted it. We have done nothing wrong.

“We were not the only one in this case. In every transfer window you have at least 10 or 15 clubs who have to wait until the next morning usually to get agreement from the Premier League.

“We just didn’t want to announce it as long as it wasn’t officially accepted.”

Arshavin is currently jetting back from Russia after the formalities of obtaining a work permit were completed.

However, with the Russian domestic season having ended in November, Wenger indicated Arshavin may need some more time to adjust.

“I believe he is talented, intelligent and motivated. When you have these things together, you always have a chance to make an impact,” he said.

“But you have to give him time as well. He is not fit at the moment because he had only 10 days preparation after a long break.”

Wenger added: “I will have reservations [about playing him], yes because the worst thing for a player is not being ready to play in a game of that intensity, or getting injured before having kicked a ball for the team.

“I will see what kind of shape he is in tomorrow to see if he will be involved in the squad or not. We are not in a hurry with him.”

However, the Arsenal manager — whose side are now unbeaten in 10 league games, but remain outside the top four, insisted: “We have what it takes, without Arshavin.

“The team is maturing — it’s a very young team — we have shown that against Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. This team can compete with anybody.”

Robbie Keane will make his Tottenham return as captain in Sunday’s game.

The Republic of Ireland player will lead the Spurs attack in place of the injured Jermain Defoe (foot).

Winger David Bentley misses the game against his former club through suspension and long-term absentee Alan Hutton remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.