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This week's top-flight news, a significant midfielder was issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled to a player's errors to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements following a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated the player faced a separate regulatory commission after allegations where he spat towards away supporters at the 67th mark during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release read: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in the top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and indecent conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-game suspension and a fine following a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I know that if we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

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

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare at Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding if they possess resilient enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to allow the goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows our versions, right? Therefore, we have we have done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’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 more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we would want to renew Tino’s deal and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match against Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to be sidelined for at least another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not be repeated as he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense pressure on his side, who are 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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