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This week's top-flight news, a key midfielder was issued a significant suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's errors to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline improvements following a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour during a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA release read: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of football or in an improper manner by using abusive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and a fine following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not an issue at club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing a bad game in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful team in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether they possess resilient enough to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, we have we have done many good things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has 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 current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to be sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|