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This week's top-flight news, a significant player was given a lengthy suspension, a head coach has singled to a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards away supporters at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA statement said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper way and/or using abusive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem at club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having poorly during the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always talk about experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I know that when we don’t win, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one for us in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their recent thriller against Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised further doubts about whether they possess the defensive steel required to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens performances and results and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, so as not to allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, always done plenty of good things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target 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 Contracts

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|