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This week's top-flight developments, a key player was issued a lengthy ban, a head coach has singled to a defender's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment after a wild win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct in October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association said the player was referred an independent regulatory commission after an incident of spitting in the direction of away fans around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the laws of the game or in an improper manner and/or using offensive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

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

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I understand that when we lose, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated his team have taken lessons from a recent scare against Fulham and the game is now in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised more questions about if City possess the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard what happens performances and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? Therefore, we have done many positive things. But the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal was much better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|