Billy Vigar’s family to attend Arsenal vs. Everton as guest of Per Mertesacker

Arsenal will host the family of former academy striker Billy Vigar as guests of honor during Saturday’s match against Everton, following the player’s tragic death from a pitch-side collision last September.

​The family of former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar will attend Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton as guests of academy manager Per Mertesacker.

Vigar, 21, died in September after sustaining a significant brain injury when he collided with a brick wall during a non-League match.

Arsenal described him as “a character beloved by teammates and coaches alike,” noting his immense pride in representing the club.

​Vigar’s death sparked a Football Association review regarding the safety of concrete pitch-side boundaries in lower divisions.

Mertesacker previously praised Vigar’s professional contract award as a result of “his attitude, his work ethic and the example he set.”

A full inquest is scheduled for later this year to determine if authorities should have done more to eliminate known dangers around amateur and semi-professional pitches.