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This week's Premier League news, a key player has been issued a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed to a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a financial fine following misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following an incident of spitting towards visiting supporters around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football or in an improper way and/or using abusive and indecent conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not an issue for his team, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing a bad game during the loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful team in the division, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I know that if we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham with the episode has now been forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions about whether City are resilient 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, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain facing his team, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We have to confront it. We're battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine 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 goal in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|