Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes says Arsenal's academy setup is the best there is.

"I was just in my mid-teens when I moved to England," the former Gunners trainee told the Sunday Sun. "My parents came over with me and that helped me settle in and everything.

"The set-up and the facilities at Arsenal were excellent, as were the coaching staff and the style of football that Arsene Wenger wanted everyone to play.

"In the first year I trained mainly with the Under-18s and the reserves but from the second year onwards, I trained with the first-team and went on pre-season with them.

"I've moved on now but it was a great grounding for any young player."