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This week's Premier League news, a significant midfielder has been handed a significant suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment following an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine following misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel following allegations where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor manner and/or engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue for his team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always talk about experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older players. I understand that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham and the episode is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether they are resilient enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see the two versions, right? So, always done many good things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“My first three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be out for another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift No 9 due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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