Arsenal discard's Germany hat-trick

SERRAVALLE (San Marino) • Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry scored a hat-trick on his senior Germany debut in Friday's 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory at San Marino as coach Joachim Low rewrote the record books with the victory.

Gnabry, 21, who left the English football club before the start of the season, is the first German to score a hat-trick on his debut since Dieter Muller achieved the feat for West Germany in 1976.

"Of course, I didn't expect the hat-trick and I'm delighted to have helped the team," said Gnabry, who joined Werder Bremen in August after a lack of chances at Arsenal.

"The last few years have been hard for me, so it's nice to have had a few goals and I hope it keeps going well."

Cologne left-back Jonas Hector also netted twice after Germany's stand-in captain Sami Khedira opened the scoring.

Mattia Stefanelli scored a late own goal before substitute Kevin Volland netted Germany's eighth.

  • 40

    Serge Gnabry scored Germany's first debut hat-trick in 40 years.

    95

    Record number of victories for Joachim Low as Germany coach.

It was a one-sided affair despite the world champions playing without Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos.

Germany maintained their perfect record of four wins to stay top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group and five points clear of nearest rivals Northern Ireland, who whipped Azerbaijan 4-0 on Friday.

The result also gave Low his 95th win as Germany coach, more than any other manager.

But Sepp Herberger, who steered West Germany to the 1954 World Cup title, had 167 matches at the helm, compared to Low's 142.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 13, 2016, with the headline Arsenal discard's Germany hat-trick. Subscribe