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This week's top-flight news, a key midfielder has been issued a substantial ban, a manager has pointed out a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment after an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour during October's match against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred a separate disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat in the direction of away fans at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement read: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved against the rules of football and/or in an improper way by using abusive and indecent conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no a problem for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I know that if we lose, we are always looking for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he any good? So, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have learnt from their recent scare against Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised more questions about whether they possess the defensive steel required to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, for every team, one must learn from what happens performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow the goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? So, we have we have done many good things. But the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some importance.

“My first few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game against Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to remain sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't be repeated as he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I believe the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the significant strain on his side, who are 18th before Saturday's matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|