'.

Whatever happened to one of Arsenal’s strangest signings?

In 2008, Arsenal made a surprise signing that left many fans puzzled.

French-born Portuguese midfielder Amaury Bischoff joined the club from Werder Bremen, despite having only one senior appearance to his name and a history of serious injury problems.

 Skip to main contentSwitch To Accessibility Mode Catalog For You More The Independent 2 Jul 2008 Gift Cards Hotspot Buttons.Search Options Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa My Publication The Independent 2 Jul 2008 Page View Text View Reporters user-pictures/e65581a4-dbf2-4bf2-b2ef-0956bf4decf5 Ben Kentish user-pictures/d83afe1f-caff-4838-9822-d7667621d6f2 Ed Malyon user-pictures/668f830f-0315-4b9f-b203-9137df4862af Steve Bunce user-pictures/4b5ad574-4b77-4645-8baa-c6507e358ba9 Joe Watts user-pictures/26f2a724-96e9-4feb-b83b-e99a97ac26c4 Caroline Mortimer user-pictures/cf517d4c-ff6d-4b4c-98c2-1cb62790d761 Katie Forster user-pictures/34b56f04-7ed9-4c2b-94ea-6b3bcde13916 Matthew Norman user-pictures/dcfa2451-85d3-4f79-85e9-91bbb58a8cf0 Jack Pitt-Brooke user-pictures/4037322c-a119-4b9c-a48f-00eb67b63859 Andrew Woodcock user-pictures/c315c45a-23b1-4e78-bff1-7eb11c086477 Patrick Cockburn user-pictures/5a9684c0-47a7-4746-9ada-ef79e6285999 Andrew Buncombe user-pictures/34b90b00-21a6-4b30-b0a3-985b1dd25daf Jon Sharman user-pictures/3f3bf980-a815-45d9-8da9-7f65316c7fb8 Lucy Pasha-Robinson user-pictures/68a2c339-4bf9-4f44-9a61-c83b2ecba9f8 Shaun Connolly user-pictures/3d82d5a2-731c-401a-9ad5-f75410eecfcb Catriona Webster user-pictures/713d7666-239f-4c56-961a-ef9e67efd30e Rachael Revesz user-pictures/e5a13cff-5b4c-48ca-946d-da0b3fcc3790 Ashley Cowburn user-pictures/83f79530-09f7-4af3-8348-5f8f99df0e83 Bethan McKernan user-pictures/4f3cf9cd-9705-4288-b205-008822cb34c6 Samuel Osborne user-pictures/69dbf50f-f16b-4a06-adec-45b5c5f73bf3 Emily Beament user-pictures/3ca07e7f-161e-48b1-b66a-c61f2256978e David Usborne This issue of The Independent brought to you by « July 2008 » SuMo Tu We Th Fr Sa 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Listen Text View Print More Open this issue in PressReader App Navigated EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский EnglishРусский Bischoff heads for Emirates switch The Independent2 Jul 2008 Werder Bremen have confirmed the departure of Portugal Under-21 international Amaury Bischoff, clearing the way for a move to the Emirates. The midfielder turned down the offer of an extension to his contract with the Bundesliga club, and has claimed he is close to completing a switch to the Gunners. However, in line with club policy, there will be no official comment from Arsenal until any transfer has been formally completed – with their long-term target Samir Nasri having prematurely announced his move last week. Bremen, though, admit Bischoff, one of their highestrated players, has decided to look for a “new challenge”. Article Name:Bischoff heads for Emirates switch Publication:The Independent Start Page:53 End Page:53
Bischoff heads for Emirates switchThe Independent 2 Jul 2008

At the time, Bischoff was recovering from a groin injury that required two surgeries, and his fitness was a major concern.

Nevertheless, Arsène Wenger, known for his willingness to take chances on young talent, saw potential in the 20-year-old midfielder and hoped to develop him.

Bischoff was viewed as a technically gifted player with excellent passing skills and a maturity beyond his years.

However, his time at Arsenal was largely hampered by recurring injuries. Despite some flashes of promise, Bischoff never made a significant breakthrough into the first team, and his time at the club was short-lived.

Bischoff’s brief time at Arsenal

LONDON - FEBRUARY 16: Amaury Bischoff of Arsenal in action during the FA Cup 4th Round Replay between Arsenal and Cardiff City at the Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images

After joining Arsenal in 2008, Bischoff struggled to establish himself due to persistent fitness issues.

He spent most of his time with the reserves but did manage a few first-team appearances, primarily in the League Cup and Champions League.

His debut came in a League Cup match against Wigan Athletic in November 2008.

However, Bischoff found it difficult to secure regular first-team football, and he made only one Premier League appearance, coming off the bench in a 3-0 win against Portsmouth in May 2009.

Remember former Arsenal midfielder Amaury Bischoff? Here he is scoring a beauty in the German third division… pic.twitter.com/j8Dt504Zbs

— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 8, 2015

Despite Wenger’s belief in his potential, Bischoff’s injury struggles and strong competition in the midfield meant that he could not cement his place in the squad.

At the end of the 2008/09 season, the club opted not to renew his contract, and Bischoff left after making just four first-team appearances.

Life after Arsenal: A journeyman career

MUENSTER, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 07: Amaury Bischoff of Muenster celebrates after scoring his team's second goal from a penalty during the 3. Liga match between Preussen Muenster and VfL Osnabrueck at Preussenstadion on February 7, 2015 in Muenster, Germany. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Bongarts/Getty Images

Following his departure from Arsenal in 2009, Bischoff embarked on a journeyman career, playing for several clubs across Europe.

ROSTOCK, GERMANY - JULY 16: Amaury Bischoff of Hansa Rostock poses for a photo during a team presentation on July 16, 2018 in Rostock, Germany. (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Bongarts/Getty Images

Bischoff’s playing career seems to have finally drawn to a close this summer, his professional days long behind him.

Despite a career that began with high hopes at clubs like Arsenal and Werder Bremen, the 37-year-old’s trajectory was largely defined by injuries and the challenges of remaining fit.

While Amaury Bischoff never reached the heights that many expected during his time at Arsenal, his journey across Europe’s lower leagues saw him enjoy more stability later in his career, especially in Germany.

For Arsenal fans, Bischoff remains a figure of intrigue—an unfulfilled talent whose potential was marred by injuries and who will always be one of Arsene Wenger’s more bizarre signings.

It’s also worth noting that Arsenal were the only club to have paid a fee for Bischoff, paying out €300k to sign him in 2008.

Related Posts