Former Arsenal star ends MLS drought with one of greatest career goals

  • Olivier Giroud scored the second free-kick goal of his career on Sunday
  • Former Arsenal striker hadn't scored in first 15 MLS appearances
  • Frenchman aiming to win more silverware out in the US
Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud ended his MLS goal drought in style
Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud ended his MLS goal drought in style | Soobum Im/GettyImages

Olivier Giroud's Arsenal legacy is one which remains up for debate.

On the surface, the Frenchman was one of the finest goal-getters in the club's modern history. He struck 105 times in just over 250 appearances for the Gunners. However, the majority of supporters have long cut ties with the forward after his antics in the aftermath of the 2019 Europa League final.

Joining Chelsea was bad enough - although not blasphemous - but his celebrations after the Blues downed his former club in Baku cut deep. Now, many will roll an eye when anyone bangs on about how "underrated" he was.

Giroud, admittedly, aged like a fine wine. He was a handy operator in west London and a clutch performer for several years in Milan. His longevity allowed him to usurp Thierry Henry as France's all-time record goalscorer in 2023 at the age of 36.

The striker's career is finally winding down after an impressive twilight, with Giroud now enjoying the influencer-haven of Los Angeles.


Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scores first MLS goal with perfect free-kick

Giroud, now 38, has struggled on the goalscoring front at the start of his MLS career for LAFC. Before his team visited the Portland Timbers at the weekend, he'd drawn a blank in each one of his first 15 MLS appearances. There'd only been a couple of goals in the domestic cup competitions.

However, the veteran ended his drought in some style on Sunday, as he halved Portland's 2-0 advantage with a pinpoint free-kick. Taken from just outside the area - a position which many would've deemed "too close" to score from - Giroud perfectly lofted the ball over James Pantemis' wall and beyond the helpess Canadian goalkeeper, who barely made an effort to deny the Frenchman his first goal.

Back in Europe, Giroud was revered for his ability to score great goals. We all remember his scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in 2017 which claimed the Puskas Award, right? That special finish was far from the only example of acrobatic brilliance Giroud manifested during his career at the highest level.

However, direct free-kicks have never been apart of the Frenchman's repertoire. Sunday's effort was just the second free-kick he's scored in his lengthy career. I guarantee that no one reading will have any recollection of his first, when Giroud struck in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with FC Vidi during a Europa League group-stage fixture in 2018.

The striker's strike helped LAFC rescue a point at Portland, with the West Coasters currently sitting seventh in the Western Conference table after nine games. There's a long way to go in the MLS season, and Giroud will be keen to add to his illustrious trophy haul before calling it a career.


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