Former Arsenal forward in coma after suffering serious head injury during match

Billy Vigar was part of the Arsenal academy system (Image: 2022 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)

Former Arsenal youngster Billy Vigar is in an induced coma after suffering a serious head injury during a match, his current club Chichester City have confirmed.

The 21-year-old, who featured for the Gunners' U21s until last year before joining Hastings United on a free transfer, suffered the serious injury whilst representing Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley at the weekend.

The horrific incident occurred as Vigar attempted to prevent the ball from crossing the touchline, sliding on the surface before losing control and colliding head-first with a concrete wall.

Medical staff immediately halted proceedings and summoned an ambulance, which arrived promptly at the scene.

Two days following the alarming incident, Chichester released an update via their social media channels regarding the striker's condition, reports the Mirror .

The club stated: "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."

Numerous messages of support flooded in for the forward following the announcement.

Non-league side Cray Valley FC posted: "Best wishes to Billy, our thoughts are with him" whilst another supporter commented: "Hope Billy gets better soon! Thoughts are with him and his family."

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 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 key figure in their Under-18s and Premier League 2 side. During the 2021-22 U18s Premier League season, he netted four goals and provided two assists for the young Gunners.

In his solitary season competing in Premier League 2 for Arsenal, he chalked up one assist in four appearances. The subsequent campaign saw him loaned out to Derby County U21s, where he featured in nine matches.