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In the latest top-flight developments, a significant midfielder was given a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty following misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting towards away fans around the 67th mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during the Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he acted in breach of the laws of football or in an improper manner by using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is no an issue at club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful team in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Was he any good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the prior game, it raised further doubts about whether City possess the defensive steel required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? So, we have we have done many positive things. But the number of attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't happen again because he himself acknowledged the error. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We're battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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