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This week's Premier League developments, a key midfielder has been handed a substantial ban, a manager has pointed to a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment after a wild win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine for misconduct during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated the player faced an independent regulatory commission following an incident of spitting towards away supporters at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release explained: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper way by using offensive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-game suspension and a fine following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not an issue at team, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing poorly in the defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I understand that if we lose, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Did he play any good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City held on for a 5-4 victory during a incredible clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a fightback and won 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions regarding if City are resilient required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see our versions, right? So, we have we have done many good things. But how many shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again as he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure facing his team, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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