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This week's Premier League updates, a key midfielder was issued a significant ban, a head coach has singled out a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment following a chaotic win.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour in October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission following an incident of spitting towards away fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in their top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper manner by engaging in abusive and/or indecent conduct by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is not an issue for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience when we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in their prior game, prompting further doubts regarding whether City are resilient required to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens in the good things and results and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, we have we have done plenty of good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“My first three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for at least another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they face Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain on his side, who are 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues to 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|