Jason Brown has revealed how Arsene Wenger gave him an unexpected opportunity to work as a goalkeeping coach for the Arsenal academy, even though he didn’t originally apply for the role.

Recalling his time with Arsenal, Brown admitted he was originally just set for a job with the Arsenal Women, working as a goalkeeping coach. That changed after a conversation with former Gunners boss Wenger though.

“It came about because Arsene Wenger asked to meet me,” Brown explained. “I was just going to join as the Ladies goalkeeping coach, but we had a 45-minute conversation and two hours later he offered me another job in their academy, working with the U23s all the way down the age groups.”

That’s far from the norm in Brown’s experience, as he’s mostly struggled to even get responses from the clubs where he applies for jobs. Even with three years at Arsenal on his CV, he still can’t get himself a proper opportunity anywhere.

“It made me realise a few things,” he says. “I was applying for one or two first-team jobs but mostly they were academy roles, and yet I got nothing back – not even a reply.

“Listen, I don’t expect to just walk through anyone’s door, but you start thinking ‘should I take the pictures off my CV?’ You’re left wondering how you’re going to get an opportunity.”

It’s typical of Wenger’s time at Arsenal to see him giving chances to people who deserve them but can’t find them elsewhere.

For example, Boro Primorac was one of the manager’s key advisers in North London, but Primorac first linked up with the Frenchman after the former defender was cast out of Ligue 1 for his role in the uncovering of a match-fixing scandal.

Making those opportunities available is one of the values Wenger made sure to instil at Arsenal, and hopefully one that will continue under new management.