Arsenal need 100%... anything less and we're going out, says Olivier Giroud

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We've got ourselves into this mess; it's time to get ourselves out.

That's the message from Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud going into their date with destiny against Olympiacos.

Indeed, that, or something along those lines, should be the premise of Arsene Wenger's pre-match team-talk.

More often than not; if you lose three times in your Champions League group, you're out.

Arsenal, though, are clinging on for dear life. If they better or equal the shock 3-2 defeat by Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium in September here in Greece tonight they'll sneak through.

Wenger's proud record of qualifying for the knockout stages for 15 consecutive years is in severe jeopardy.

Arsenal have never failed to reach the knockout stages of competition since inception of new format in 2003

French striker Olivier Giroud says Arsenal must give everything in Greece to qualify 

'We believe we can make it. If not, the club would send the youth team' says Giroud

The Arsenal manager was in combative mood during Tuesday night's pre-match press conference.

'We've won everywhere in Europe, we can win here,' he said. 

He's right, they can. But the Frenchman is relying on his squad that have, so far, let him down in Europe this season.

'Would it be massive if we didn't qualify? No,' insisted Giroud, who is likely to start against the Greeks.

'But this group was within our reach and we put ourselves in a difficult position losing our two first games.

'Now, we have the opportunity to show our mental strength.

'We'll have to leave aside the atmosphere because it's going be a very hot game. We need to be at 100 per cent.

'In this kind of game, 95 per cent won't be enough.'

The Arsenal squad training ahead of flying out for the Champions League decider

Giroud is confident the Gunners can overcome the odds and progress to the knockout stages

The France international is right. The Gunners need to be at full throttle to pull off this great escape act.

Scoring first is paramount; an early goal would ease those pre-match tensions.

It is, however, important for Wenger's side not to panic. A 2-0 win would suffice for Arsenal; it doesn't call for a kitchen-sink act.

But in what will be a cauldron of intimidation; staying cool is likely to be easier said than done.

Likewise, the club's crippling injury list has provided Wenger with another barrier to overcome as he looks to mastermind a European rescue act.

Alexis Sanchez is the most high-profile absentee; but with Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin also missing; how Arsenal cope without their injured star will prove vital.

Arsene Wenger speaks to the press ahead of the crucial Champions League clash with Olympiacos

Calum Chambers (left) is being considered for a midfield role against Olympiacos

Defender Laurent Koscielny (centre) will be looking to do his bit at the back and keep Olympiacos out 

Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini will hold the fort for the Gunners in central midfield. How the duo impact proceedings could be the key towards the outcome.

'We have a lot of injuries. Probably 40 per cent of our squad is out,' said Giroud.

'But we have a squad with quality and deeper than the previous seasons. The guys who replaced injured players last weekend against Sunderland did their job.

'We know we have enough quality to go and win there (in Greece) This is a game where we will have to be strong in our head. We have to be ready mentally.

'We believe we can make it. If not, the club would send the youth team. We have a good chance.'