Ambassador a funny guide to the Gunners

In a light-hearted interview, Kent gave full ventto the British sense of humour.
Devotees of English football in Thailand – and in Vietnam, where he was last posted – know the emissary is a die-hard Arsenal fan. Discussing the team with him could have been tricky, since they haven’t won a trophy in eight years, but John also belongs to the Arsenal tribe and kept things amusing. He questioned the ambassador’s loyalty, since he welcomed rival Manchester United to Thailand this month.
Kent said it was merely his diplomatic duty. Johnasked if he’d do likewise when Chelsea and Liverpool visit.
“Isn’t it too much?” Kent quipped, before declaring with relief that he’llbe back in the UK when those other teams arrive on our shores.
Kent showed John around his residence, which turned out to be a repository of football memorabilia. He has an Arsenal seat cushion, given to him when he left Vietnam. He has many Arsenal, England and Great Britain jerseys, each one scented with good memories. “This one is from when we went into the Carling Cup – and we lost,” he mock-grieved.
“Do you wear an Arsenal jersey around town?” John asked. “No, I dare not,” Kent winced, but sometimes he wears one at home.
Another Arsenal shirt had the players’ autographs, but they’ve all moved elsewhere by now. “Perhaps the staff at the stadium remains,” he sighed. Asked about Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Kent opined, “He’s very strange because he never likes spending money[to recruit star players].” Then he pulled a Bt5 coin out of his pocket and tried to mobilise funds to buy better players.
Could he see Thailand in the World Cup one day?
Yes!
Is that a diplomatic answer?
No! Kent said. He’s seen the national squad in action, and the potential is there to follow South Korea and Japan’s example. “Maybe in another 10 years – about the same time Arsenal become Premier League champions!”