5 Greatest Champions League Group-Stage Escapes

Arsenal go into their do-or-die Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Tuesday knowing they need to win both their remaining fixtures, and hope other results go in their favour, in order to stand any chance of qualifying for the last 16.

The Gunners have just three points from their first four group games, with their solitary win coming over group leaders Bayern Munich in October. 

But the Londoners are not without hope in their battle for European relevance, with a number of clubs in the past staging equally unlikely survival stories.

Here, we look at the best...

Arsenal, 2003/04

The first place Arsene Wenger can look for inspiration is his own past, having once guided the Gunners out of a similarly difficult predicament. 

Arsenal found themselves in a sticky situation after losing two of their opening three group-stage fixtures, including a 3-0 drubbing at home to Inter Milan, and couldn't afford to slip up again in their remaining games.

An early exit looked imminent until Ashley Cole's 88th-minute winner in their next match with Dynamo Kyiv, before a Thierry Henry masterclass destroyed Inter at the San Siro. 

The Frenchman scored twice and set up another two goals as the Gunners thrashed the Italians 5-1. Arsenal went on to beat Lokomotiv Moscow in their final fixture to top the group.

[YouTube: Wael Dallagi]

Newcastle United, 2002/03

It was the height of the Sir Bobby Robson era at Newcastle United, and the Magpies were flying high in the Premier League but struggling in Europe. 

Newcastle looked doomed after losing their first three fixtures without even scoring, before stunning a Juventus side including big names Edgar Davids and Alessandro Del Piero courtesy of a dramatic goal from full-back Andy Griffin. 

Robson's side went on to record wins over Dynamo Kyiv and Feyenoord, ensuring they would become the first side in the history of the competition to progress after losing their first three games.

[YouTube: tcyonatan]

FC Porto, 2003/04

FC Porto, led by a little-known novice by the name of Jose Mourinho, stunned Europe with the unlikeliest of Champions League successes in 2003/04, but not before finding their way out of an unpromising situation in Group F.

After a home defeat to European giants Real Madrid left the Portuguese side with just one point from their opening two games, Mourinho's side claimed 10 points from their remaining fixtures, including a heroic point at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

They progressed to the last 16, where they knocked out Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United (and we saw that Mourinho celebration) en route to European glory.

[YouTube: Ricardo Dias]

Celtic, 2012/13

This survival story was all about one game.

Few gave Celtic much of a chance when they hosted Barcelona at Celtic Park in November 2012, despite a plucky performance in a 2-1 defeat at the Camp Nou.

But goals from Victor Wanyama and youngster Tony Watt put Celtic two up, with the Scots clinging on despite a late Lionel Messi goal.

What made the win all the more remarkable was the fact Celtic enjoyed only 16.4 percent possession of the ball, the lowest for a winning side since Opta began recording in 2006/07.

Neil Lennon's side went on to beat Locomotiv Moscow in their final group-stage fixture to seal progress to the last 16.

[YouTube: SHEMCrew]

Liverpool, 2004/05

Liverpool's journey to a fifth European title looked unlikely after defeat to Monaco in their penultimate group-stage fixture.

With just seven points after five games, Rafa Benitez's side required a two-goal win over Olympiakos in their final game at Anfield to progress to the last 16.

The task was made harder still after Rivaldo put the visitors ahead from a free-kick, before Florent Sinama-Pongolle levelled to keep the Reds' hopes alive almost immediately after the second half began.

Neil Mellor netted after 81 minutes to leave Liverpool needing a single goal, before up stepped Steven Gerrard to bring Anfield to it's feet.

The captain's stunning last-second half-volley secured Liverpool's progress at the last opportunity, with the club going on to win the competition with another sensational comeback in the final against AC Milan.

[YouTube: James Sussex]