Arsenal u18 coach Dan Micciche admits it was nice for everyone to see Billy Vigar scoring on his return from injury at the weekend.

Dan Micciche speaks to some of the Arsenal u18s (Photo by Dan Critchlow)
Dan Micciche speaks to some of the Arsenal u18s (Photo by Dan Critchlow)

A few years ago, I went down to Meadow Park to watch the Arsenal u16s play in a cup final against Chelsea. At the time, I knew little about many of the players involved, but many are now big names in the club academy and beyond.

Everyone knows Miguel Azeez and Charlie Patino by now, and followers of the academy will be well aware of Omari Hutchinson, Khayon Edwards, and Kido Taylor-Hart, among others in the team that day.

Yunus Musah (Valencia) and Daniel Oyegoke (Brentford) have moved on, but they both look to have bright futures as well.

Another player who started that cup final was Billy Vigar, who you’re much less likely to have heard of – largely because he’s spent long periods out injured since then.

The young striker made a few appearances in 2020/21, but he hadn’t made any this campaign until the weekend.

Finally returning from injury to enter the Arsenal u18s’ game against West Ham as a substitute with 13 minutes left, Vigar took his chance to score an injury-time equaliser.

After the game, Dan Micciche suggested it had been a tough journey for Vigar to get back playing again, which is why everyone was so glad to see him capitalising on his chance.

“The two boys who got the goals, for different reasons I’m really pleased for both of them,” Micciche said.

“Charles [Sagoe Jr] it’s a hell of a strike with his left foot, on his weaker side.

“[Billy’s] spent so much time out injured, for him to get that goal was a nice moment for everyone, really. We’ve felt that pain that he’s felt in the past months.”

Khayon Edwards has starred for the u18s in recent months, scoring 13 Arsenal academy goals this season and setting Vigar up for his on Saturday.

It would be great for Edwards to have someone to share the attacking burden with in the coming weeks. Vigar will hope to be that player.