Not heard much about Stokes, he made an initial impact at Sunderland but seems to have gone quiet over the last season or so.

I'm expecting Henderson is out for longer than initially thought.

Not heard much about Stokes, he made an initial impact at Sunderland but seems to have gone quiet over the last season or so.

I'm expecting Henderson is out for longer than initially thought.

Apparently it could end up being a season long loan.

He can also play on the left of midfield. Don't really know that much about him but he's only 20 and as it's a loan we have only lost wages if he's no good. Arsenal got rid of him but then he's British (well almost) so there's no surprise there.

While at Arsenal he went on loan to Falkirk scoring 16 in 18 matches,Wenger did not want to lose him but the kid wanted first team action ,he has not got it at Sunderland because Keane has brought in experienced players limiting his games.

I am over the moon at this one!

Stokes is another young un with bags of potential, he's proven to know where the back of the potato sack is, and i'm sure he will bag a few for the mighty red and white wizards!.
My only worry again is where we fit him into the squad, it's going to be a battle for starting places again up front? If stokes starts do you drop Sharp? Actuslly though thinking bout it Stokes has also played as a winger so he could play in a system which brings wide players into an attacking role, sort of 4-4-2 becomes 4-3-3 when attacking, could work?

actually the bit that surprises me is that Sunderland have rejected a handful of loan requests from teams earlier on this season so why are they willing to let him go to us now?

actually the bit that surprises me is that Sunderland have rejected a handful of loan requests from teams earlier on this season so why are they willing to let him go to us now?

Him and Halford on loan from Sunderland now, maybe Blackwell or McCabe have a friendship with either Keane or Niall Quinn?

actually the bit that surprises me is that Sunderland have rejected a handful of loan requests from teams earlier on this season so why are they willing to let him go to us now?

Keane has said he wants Stokes to get first team experience. Maybe Keane thought he would break his way into the side but has now decided that this isn't going to happen.

The initial loan covers the Christmas period and as he can play on the left (not our strongest position) he can cover there. Even without injuries you need cover at Crimbo because of the number of games in a short period of time.

I got a wiff of this yesterday from other owls sites but didn't belive it

Honestly I am well chuffed with whats happening at The Lane at the minute, the calibre of Players on our books is amazing and you can actually see the thought process behind the new players coming in, each one actually has a beneficial strenght. Blackwell and McCabe are getting it right for once and building a team worthy of a higher status than our lenghtly 2nd flight stint, the whole structure of the club has changed in recent years it's really promising, the club oozes ambition at the minute and i'm really excited about things to come! Lets put behind the premiership attempt last time out and definately put behind us the Robson era because allthough I don't want to count my chickens before the hatch, I feel that if things continue as they are at the Lane, come next may we will have a strong enough team to challenge for at least mid-table in the Premiership next time out!

And what with the West Ham saga which allthough is still in a bit of a limbo, but will without no doubt line our pockets before next may, I feel we may even have some pulling power to bring in the bigger names to should we gain promotion!

Overall up the Blades, exciting times!

McCabe was in Malta this week to watch the National team play & he was well impressed with Mifsud & all but said we would be interested in a player of his quality,the goals he got against Man Utd were pure quality.we will have to wait and see if there are any developments.

I like this Mifsud (and his team mate Jay Tabb).

I think he'd be a cracking signing, good for business and wouldn't cost the earth.

Things are looking up.

Arsenal got rid of him but then he's British (well almost) so there's no surprise there.

IF you're good enough for Arsenal, they will play you. Regardless of nationality.

Stokes for me is a good player, but it just seems we have loaned another player for the sake of it.

Our squad is too big as it stands, and I just hope this doesn't hinder us looking at a better player come January.

IF you're good enough for Arsenal, they will play you. Regardless of nationality.

I was joking and another poster has said Wenger wanted Stokes to stay but the player wanted first team action so it doesn't really apply to him. I don't really think Wenger gets rid of players 'cos there British/English although he has made a couple of mistakes in this dept. - Bentley (not playing well at the mo but still a good player) and Upson. Upson was the biggest mistake as Arsenal haven't had for a while and still don't have a central defence to compete with Chelseas/Man U's - Philippe Senderos???? Anyway forget Arsenal's defence.

Stokes for me is a good player, but it just seems we have loaned another player for the sake of it.

Our squad is too big as it stands, and I just hope this doesn't hinder us looking at a better player come January.

The squad is too big ONLY if we stay clear of injuries and suspensions. As he is a loan player I don't think it's a bad move. Stokes is for the most part unproven but he's young and SHOULD be looking to impress to either give himself a chance at getting into the Sunderland side or to get him a move to another decent side (hopefully us if he's any good but I reckon Keane will keep him if he does well).

We currently have 4 strikers with 3 of them being out and out strikers who can't really play anywhere else (Sharp, Beattie, Henderson). As Stokes and Webber can play on the left (we don't have enough cover there) if needs be we have more options. If he turns out to be worse than what we already have then we don't need him (obviously) but if he is as good as what we have I think he's a good signing - time will tell.

It does seem as though our squad is too big but looking on the back of the programme each match we do actually seem to have a smaller squad than the teams we've played.Saying that,there's going to be a few players with their noses pushed out;-Geary,Carney etc;then there's Dyer on loan.Regarding Mifsud,should we get him it will be interesting after the match vs Coventry.Wonder if Sun will be waiting for him...:D

I don't really think Wenger gets rid of players 'cos there British/English although he has made a couple of mistakes in this dept. - Bentley (not playing well at the mo but still a good player) and Upson. Upson was the biggest mistake as Arsenal haven't had for a while and still don't have a central defence to compete with Chelseas/Man U's - Philippe Senderos???? Anyway forget Arsenal's defence.

With Wenger he keeps the players who fight for the team, Bentley from what I hear was very lethargic at Arsenal and he made the decision to move him on for £3 million I believe it was, and a hefty sell on clause which was activated when he went to spurs. Whilst I do think Bentley is talented, he is not a Arsenal type of player.

As for Upson, another defender who is good, butI don't think he is good enough for Arsenal.

With Wenger he keeps the players who fight for the team, Bentley from what I hear was very lethargic at Arsenal and he made the decision to move him on for £3 million I believe it was, and a hefty sell on clause which was activated when he went to spurs. Whilst I do think Bentley is talented, he is not a Arsenal type of player.

Yeah he probably isn't really an Arsenal type player - he is an out and out right winger who has good crossing ability and Arsenal don't really play with that sort of player. Last year I would still have picked him above of Eboue who just isn't a winger full stop - he can defend but not attack. They've got Walcott now and really I don't think Wenger should be playing Eboue there anyway.

As for Upson, another defender who is good, butI don't think he is good enough for Arsenal.

Upson shouldn't be in a top 4 side as he is good but that not that good. However for a good few seasons Arsenal had Senderos as a regularly playing centre back and he just wasn't up to it - therefore I think getting rid of Upson was a mistake. I think one of Wengers weaknesses is that he gives some players too many chances and Senderos is one of those players - should have been gone long ago.

Also as brave as it is for Wenger to give youth a chance it has and still is costing Arsenal trophies in my opinion. Fair enough if he didn't have cash to spend but apparently he has and won't do it - he doesn't need to spend wildly, just a couple of experienced players and they are more or less on a par with Chelsea/Man U. No trophies for 3 years and I can't see anything more than an FA Cup/League Cup this year.

Also as brave as it is for Wenger to give youth a chance it has and still is costing Arsenal trophies in my opinion. Fair enough if he didn't have cash to spend but apparently he has and won't do it - he doesn't need to spend wildly, just a couple of experienced players and they are more or less on a par with Chelsea/Man U. No trophies for 3 years and I can't see anything more than an FA Cup/League Cup this year.

I know they come out and say they have the money, but until they finish off paying for the stadium, I don't think they will be buying players like Man United Chelsea Liverpool.

Once the ground is paid for, they will be absolutely quids in.

Edit: Stokes looked really good when he came on. Hopefully SQuinn will be dropped for saints game in place for Stokes

I have to say, I think Stokes looked a good player. Should do well in this league. Especially against the likes of Southampton.

I have to say, I think Stokes looked a good player. Should do well in this league. Especially against the likes of Southampton.

Agreed.

A good signing for United. He was one of the few that looked threatening yesterday.

Upson shouldn't be in a top 4 side as he is good but that not that good. However for a good few seasons Arsenal had Senderos as a regularly playing centre back and he just wasn't up to it - therefore I think getting rid of Upson was a mistake. I think one of Wengers weaknesses is that he gives some players too many chances and Senderos is one of those players - should have been gone long ago.

Also as brave as it is for Wenger to give youth a chance it has and still is costing Arsenal trophies in my opinion. Fair enough if he didn't have cash to spend but apparently he has and won't do it - he doesn't need to spend wildly, just a couple of experienced players and they are more or less on a par with Chelsea/Man U. No trophies for 3 years and I can't see anything more than an FA Cup/League Cup this year.

To sell a future England international for £1-3 million is bad busines in my eyes, Arsenal have debts of up to £300 million so they're no Man City/Chelsea.

On Stokes I think his best position is as a second striker, in the Teddy Sheringham kinda roll.