 Stokes played for Kilnamanagh, Esker Celtic, Cherry Orchard and Shelbourne youth teams, before signing for Arsenal.Stokes broke into the Arsenal reserve team at only 15 years old.He made his first-team debut as a substitute in Arsenal's League Cup tie against Sunderland on 25 October 2005, coming on for Arturo Lupoli in the 88th minute of a 3–0 win.