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This week's Premier League updates, a notable midfielder was handed a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled to a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a chaotic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a financial fine following improper behaviour in a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission after an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting supporters around the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA statement said: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted against the laws of the game or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not a problem for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we don’t win, 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 good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised more questions about if City are the defensive steel required to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, always we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

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

“My first few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|