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This week's Premier League news, a significant midfielder was issued a significant suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive improvements following a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct in October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards away supporters at the 67th mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the laws of football and/or in a poor way and/or using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not a problem at club, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always mention experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that if we don’t win, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated his team have taken lessons from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the game is now in the past. City held on for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts about whether City possess the defensive steel required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, to not allow so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see the two sides, right? Therefore, we have done plenty of positive things. But how many attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again as he personally admitted the error. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the intense strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|