Ex-Arsenal striker in coma with brain injury after horrific head collision during match

Former Arsenalforward Billy Vigar is in an induced coma after suffering a head injury during a match, his club Chichester City have confirmed. Vigar, 21, was a part of the Gunners' U21s side up until last year, when he moved to Hastings United on a free transfer.

After a year with the east Sussex side, he moved to Step 3 side Chichester City this summer. He was playing for City last weekend against Wingate & Finchley when he sustained a horrific head collision with a concrete wall while trying to stop the ball from going out of play.

As he was sliding to reach the ball, it is understood his body turned on the damp grass and the momentum saw his forehead hit the wall. Play was stopped immediately and an ambulance, which arrived quickly onto the scene, was called.

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Two days after the worrying incident, Chichester took to their social media page and released a statement about his condition. They wrote: "Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently in an induced coma in intensive care receiving the best possible treatment.

"It is too early to say what the outcome will be and even if things go well, there will be a long road to recovery ahead. Love from the whole of the CCFC family Billy.”

Many tributes were paid to the striker on the announcement. Fellow non-league side Cray Valley FC wrote: "Best wishes to Billy, our thoughts are with him."

Dulwich Hamlet FC also took to their social media page and wrote: "The thoughts of everyone at Champion Hill are with Billy, his family, his friends and everyone at Chichester City."

Brentwood Town FC also tweeted: "Our thoughts are with Billy and his family at this difficult and sensitive time. We're all wishing him strength and a full recovery. From all of us at Brentwood Town FC."

Vigar never made a senior appearance for Mikel Arteta's side, but he was a prominent player in their Under-18s and Premier League 2 side.

In the 2021-22 U18s Premier League campaign, he contributed four goals and two assists for the young Gunners.

He joined Arsenal in December 2017 when he was only 14 years old and signed his first professional contract with the Premier League powerhouses in July 2022.

In his one and only campaign competing in Premier League 2 for the north Londoners, he contributed one assist in four appearances. The following campaign, he was loaned to Derby County U21s, where he made nine appearances.

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