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This week's Premier League news, a notable midfielder has been issued a lengthy ban, a manager has singled to a defender's mistakes to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a financial fine following improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards away supporters at the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and a fine following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, now 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, who produced an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have learnt from a recent thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. The team survived for a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is 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 backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some importance.

“My first few 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 we would want to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am positive it won't be repeated as he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|