OLIVIER GIROUD always wished to finish his career in California — but life has not quite been the dream he imagined so far.The Frenchman suits Los Angeles, sitting in the sun after training at LAFC’s impressive facility, east of the beaches and palm trees of America’s West Coast.SuppliedOlivier Giroud joined LAFC last summer[/caption]APHe has had to deal with devastating wildfires in the area[/caption]AFP or licensorsGiroud spent six years at Arsenal[/caption]GettyHe won the Champions League at Chelsea[/caption]But Giroud has faced an awful lot of challenges since arriving from AC Milan last summer.A number of LAFC team-mates and staff were put on evacuation alert during January’s devastating wildfires which destroyed more than 18,000 homes.The club have helped raise funds to support those who were displaced, while striker Giroud has donated possessions.There have been powercuts, earthquakes and the Giroud family home was even burgled earlier this month.Giroud said: “Since I arrived in LA last summer, we had three power outages in five days of ten, 12 and 15 hours.“There was a massive earthquake when we were at the training ground. There were all the fires. It was a really sad situation. People lost everything.“We thank the first responders and firefighters who did an amazing job. It made me really sad. I was scared.“I also had a personal bad experience. Hopefully, there will be better days up front. It’s part of life.“Sometimes you have great days and sometimes tough moments.“It was a wish to finish here in the US and to give this opportunity to my kids to discover another way of life.” Giroud's career by numbersHere is a look at Oliver Giroud's career...Grenoble, 2005–2008Appearances – 26Goals – 2Istres, 2007–2008 loanAppearances – 34Goals – 14Tours, 2008–2010 and 2010 loanAppearances – 69Goals – 38Montpellier, 2010–2012Appearances – 85Goals – 39Arsenal, 2012–2018Appearances – 253Goals – 105Chelsea, 2018–2021Appearances – 119Goals – 39AC Milan – 2021–2024Appearances – 132Goals – 49Los Angeles FCAppearances – 21Goals – 2Honours:Ligue 1 x1, FA Cup x4, Champions League x1, Europa League x1, Serie A x1, US Open Cup x1, Fifa World Cup x1, Despite all the challenges, Giroud is fully embracing California and Major League Soccer.The 38-year-old, who started out with French side Grenoble two decades ago and has taken in London and Milan along his journey, is more than content with life — despite a dramatic six months.He added: “It reminds me a bit of London. I lived nine years in London and I really enjoy this city. You can do a lot of things with the family. Plus you have the ocean side, which is really nice. It’s a bit far from Europe but I like the lifestyle and visiting other parts of the US.“I brought the family to different places in California, but I really want to go to Hawaii and San Francisco. I took them to Las Vegas, San Diego. Maybe also New York, if I can, for a break.“It’s sunny almost every single day. You feel far from home, like on holiday every single day. It’s not holiday time yet but maybe in a couple of years.“I’m really here to bring my experience to the team and to keep playing to win.“I’m a competitor and I said I’m coming in MLS to always give my best and achieve.”One sticking point of his new life in LA is keeping up with events back in the Premier League.As Giroud says, “it is a long way from Europe”, with English early games on a Saturday kicking off at 4.30am here.That has, at least, allowed him to sleep through some of Arsenal‘s recent struggles. But despite the Gunners looking like falling short of a title once again, Giroud’s confidence in former team-mate Mikel Arteta is unshakeable.Giroud said of Arsenal’s Spanish manager: “He’s done a great job in the last few years.“I would say in a different style, but in a continuity of what Arsene Wenger did.“He’s had time to make the team improve, to set up his ideas. He’s one of the best managers in Europe now.“He’s shown it. He brought Arsenal back to the top of the league, almost. I would love to see them win the title.“Mikel will never give up. I wish them to win.”One of the biggest factors holding Arsenal back has been their lack of a No 9.But France’s all-time top scorer with 57 goals, who also bagged 105 for the Gunners, did not consider a Thierry Henry-style return to North London from MLS.He said: “No, I’m getting old! I’ll turn 39 soon.”AFPGiroud has ruled out a Thierry Henry-style loan back to Arsenal[/caption]