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In the latest Premier League developments, a significant midfielder was issued a substantial suspension, a manager has singled to a player's errors to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment after an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission following allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during the top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the rules of the game and/or in an improper way and/or using abusive and/or indecent conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and a fine after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” The team, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not an issue for his team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having a bad game during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I know that if we don’t win, we are always searching for the reason why, but I think why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we were not at our best.”

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

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare at Fulham with the game is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 win during a incredible clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting more questions about if they possess resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not concede the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for 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 is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not be repeated as he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We have to face it. We're fighting for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|