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This week's Premier League news, a significant player was handed a significant ban, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour during October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced a separate disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting towards away supporters at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football and/or in an improper way by using offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

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

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is not an issue for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn display in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, we are always searching for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham with the game is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour played.

Coming after they fought off a comeback and won 3-2 in the prior game, it raised more questions about whether City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? Therefore, we have done many positive things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed some importance.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|