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This week's Premier League developments, a significant midfielder was issued a lengthy ban, a head coach has singled to a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements following a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a financial fine following improper behaviour during a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri faced a separate regulatory commission following allegations where he spat towards visiting supporters around the 67th point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA statement read: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of the game and/or in a poor manner and/or using abusive and indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game suspension and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no a problem at team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from having a bad game in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their setback. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“We always mention experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, people are always looking for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have learnt from a recent scare against Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 win in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in the prior fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if they possess resilient required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, we have done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. He arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the significant strain facing his team, who are 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We have to face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 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 goal in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|