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This week's top-flight news, a significant midfielder was issued a lengthy ban, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment following a wild victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match ban and a financial fine for misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in a poor way by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 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 standings, 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 no a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we lose, people are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us in the match? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts about if City are the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, always done plenty of positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“My first three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to be out for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the significant pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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