Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has fallen victim to a high-profile burglary in Los Angeles, with reports emerging that thieves stole approximately $500,000 worth of jewellery from his home.
According to TMZ, law enforcement sources confirmed that Giroud’s wife discovered a shattered window on February 5 and immediately reported the break-in. Among the stolen items were more than 10 luxury men’s watches, along with other high-value possessions.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident, but as of yet, no arrests have been made. The burglary follows a disturbing trend of targeting high-profile athletes in the United States, with Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Ty Jerome (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Antonio Hamilton (Atlanta Falcons) among the sports stars recently affected.
Giroud, who joined Los Angeles FC last year, has enjoyed a decorated career across Europe before moving to MLS. The 38-year-old Frenchman, a 2018 World Cup winner and France’s all-time leading goal scorer, played pivotal roles in domestic and international competitions throughout his career.
He remains fondly remembered at Arsenal, where he spent six seasons from 2012 to 2018. Signing from Montpellier, Giroud scored 105 goals in 253 appearances, helping the club win three FA Cups and three Community Shields. His aerial dominance, link-up play, and penchant for scoring spectacular goals made him a fan favourite, despite occasional criticisms of inconsistency.
After leaving Arsenal for Chelsea in 2018, Giroud won the Europa League, where he played a key role in Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Arsenal in the final, a moment that soured his relationship with some Gunners‘ fans. However, after joining LAFC, he extended an olive branch, praising Mikel Arteta and his former club’s resurgence under their current manager.
“I’m very happy for them because Arteta is doing a great job,” Giroud said last summer. “He had the time to build and to set up his ideas. He is a great manager, I think. Hopefully, he will stay as many years as Arsène Wenger stayed! I wish them the best.”
Giroud and Arteta shared a dressing room at Arsenal, playing together 95 times and lifting trophies as teammates. Two of Giroud’s FA Cups and two Community Shields came with Arteta as captain.
The French striker, now settled in Los Angeles, signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with LAFC, with an option for an additional year, potentially keeping him in the MLS until the end of 2026, past his 40th birthday on 30 September.