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This week's Premier League news, a notable midfielder was issued a substantial ban, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements following an erratic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour in October's match versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards away supporters around the 67th point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in their Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football and/or in an improper manner by using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and a fine following proceedings. The panel's full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I understand that if we lose, people are always looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from a midweek scare against Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 win during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if they possess the defensive steel required to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham it shows the two versions, right? Therefore, always done many good things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal was much more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the home game against Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain out for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension 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 acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

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

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|