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This week's Premier League news, a key player has been given a significant suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player faced an independent disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting supporters around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he acted against the laws of football or in a poor manner and/or engaging in abusive and unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is no an issue at club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we don’t win, people are always looking for the reason why, but in my view why we lost to Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we were not good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare at Fulham and the game is now forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they fought off a fightback and won 3-2 in their prior game, it raised further doubts regarding whether City possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to renew Tino’s deal and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the home game against Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be sidelined for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant pressure on his side, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|