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This week's Premier League updates, a notable midfielder was handed a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game suspension and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour in October's match against Leeds United. The governing body said the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards visiting supporters at the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement said: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper manner and/or using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

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

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is no a problem at team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in the poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that if we lose, people are always searching for the reason why, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham with the game is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, it raised more questions regarding whether City are the defensive steel required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to allow the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham it shows our versions, correct? Therefore, we have we have done many good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' new 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 joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s deal was much more secure than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself admitted his mistake. We discussed it internally. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|