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This week's Premier League updates, a significant player was given a substantial ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour in October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced a separate regulatory commission following an incident where he spat in the direction of away fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the rules of football and/or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released in due course.” The team, now 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is no a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing poorly during the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in the setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we lose, we are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City held on for a 5-4 win in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised more questions regarding whether they possess resilient required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard what happens performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, to not concede the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows our sides, right? So, always done many positive things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that we would want to extend Tino’s deal and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it won't be repeated as he himself admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are battling for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|