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In the latest Premier League news, a notable player was handed a significant ban, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements after a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a financial penalty for misconduct during a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association said the player was referred a separate disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A statement read: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of the game and/or in an improper manner by engaging in offensive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-match ban and a fine after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released in due course.” The team, currently in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is no an issue for his team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced players. I understand that if we lose, we are always searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City survived to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting more questions about if City are resilient required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows our sides, correct? Therefore, always we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's talks are being treated with some importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

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

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they face Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of 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 goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|