Athletic Bilbao host Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday. Both teams come in with mixed domestic results and will look to carry league form into Europe.

Athletic Bilbao

Bilbao are mid-table in La Liga after three wins and two defeats in their opening five matches. They beat Betis (2-1), Rayo Vallecano (1-0) and Sevilla (3-2) but lost to Alaves (0-1) and Real Sociedad (0-1 in a friendly). Pre-season included defeats to Liverpool (3-2 and 4-1) and PSV (2-1), plus a win over Ponferradina (1-0). Their only recent meeting with Champions League opposition was a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Emirates Cup.

Arsenal

Arsenal sit in the Premier League’s top four after three wins and one defeat from their first four matches. They beat Nottingham (3-0), Leeds (5-0) and Manchester United (1-0) but lost at Liverpool (0-1). Pre-season results included wins over Newcastle (3-2) and AC Milan (1-0), and defeats to Villarreal (3-2) and Tottenham (1-0). In last season’s Champions League, they fell to PSG in the semi-finals, losing both legs (0-1 and 1-2).

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Head-to-head

The sides last met in August in the Emirates Cup, where Arsenal won 3-0.

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