Monday, December 23, 2024

Where Are They Now: Amaury Bischoff

Arriving at Arsenal in 2008, Bischoff was a highly rated talent and big things were expected of the then 21-year-old. He joined from Werder Bremen where he excelled in the reserve and youth sides and high hopes were pinned on the French-born Portuguese starlet.

However, his torrid injury record made it a struggle to play consistently and when Wenger signed him he stated that it was a “gamble on talent”. After signing in late June it took Bischoff just over four months to get fully fit and he finally made his debut as a 77th minute substitute against wigan in the League Cup. He was to make two more cup appearances with the side, both as substitute, firstly away at Burnley in the League Cup and then against Cardiff in a 4-0 FA Cup Win.

His struggle for match fitness meant he played only one more game in the season, his Premier League debut coming at Portsmouth in a 3-0 victory. After a year at the club, where he appeared only four times as a substitute, Bischoff was released. It was a rather bizarre signing, and it came as no surprise when he was let go by the club.

After his release by Arsenal, Bischoff went to Portugal and joined Academica, playing only 10 games in two seasons, before linking up with Aves, another Portuguese side who played in the second division. Here he again found it difficult to put in consistent performances and played 20 games scoring the solitary goal. Again, Bischoff was released and decided to go and join Preußen Münster, a German third division side.

In Germany he has finally found some consistency and since 2012 he has appeared in just over 60 games for the club, scoring 13 goals.

In his youth, he appeared for the Portugal under 21’s and after signing for Arsenal it seemed as though Bischoff’s career would blossom. Unfortunately, due to a torrid injury record it wasn’t to be and at 27 it looks as though one of Arsene’s most bizarre signings will struggle to ever reach the top-level again.

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