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This week's Premier League news, a significant midfielder has been handed a significant suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated the player was referred a separate disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of away fans around the 67th point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the laws of football or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and a fine after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is not a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having a bad game in the defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I understand that when we lose, people are constantly searching for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare at Fulham with the game is now in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in their previous game, prompting more questions regarding if City possess the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows the two sides, right? Therefore, always we have done many good things. But the number of attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's talks have assumed some importance.

“My first few days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|