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Ex-Arsenal youngster thought call-up was radio prank

Serge Gnabry has an international cap now. Credit: PA

Germany international Serge Gnabry feared he was the victim of a practical joke when national team coach Joachim Low gave him a call last week to say he was part of his squad.

Gnabry marked his Germany debut with a hat-trick in the 8-0 World Cup qualifying win over San Marino on Friday.

He became the first debutant since Dieter Muller 40 years ago to score three on his first appearance for the senior national team, yet the 21-year-old has revealed how he at first did not believe he was actually speaking to Low on the phone.

The coach called me and I had to consider for a while whether it was real or not.

There have been a lot of these fake calls on the radio and I just didn't want to be the next victim.

– Serge Gnabry speaking to RND radio