Blind nine-year-old fan reacts to Aubameyang’s winning goal

A nine-year-old football fan’s reaction to a winning goal has gone viral and shown you don’t need to see to enjoy a game.

John Poulli, 38, filmed his son’s reaction to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s winning goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Mikey, who went blind two years ago, is a huge Arsenal fan, and John said moments like this are why they keep going to games.

He told the PA news agency: “I did not see the goal because I was looking at my phone and then all of a sudden I heard my son scream in my ear. The whole crowd went as well. I was more grateful I had caught that moment on camera than seen the goal myself.

“Being 2-1 down and pulling it back – catching my son’s reaction to that winner on video, I will cherish that more than seeing the goal live.”

After he posted the video on Twitter, Aubameyang replied with a heart emoji, before sending a private message.

Mr Poulli said: “He told me when he saw the video it made him cry, and god bless him, and he was just happy that he had made Mikey happy.”

Mikey went to his first Arsenal game was he was five, before he went blind due to a rare eye disease. He now uses a special audio-kit to help him enjoy the games.

Mr Poulli said: “I take him because I know that he loves it. He loves soaking in the atmosphere, the songs and joining in. When a goal goes in he loves the roar of the crowd.”

The young fan also plays for the England blind team.

“He is the youngest footballer to be scouted for England for the blind team.

“He is a very talented footballer, and I am sure one day he will make it as an England footballer.”

Mikey first went viral in August after sharing a video on his Instagram page of him meeting his football hero Alex Lacazette and touching his face.