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From the world of Premier League updates, a notable player was given a lengthy suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game suspension and a financial fine for improper behaviour during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission after an incident of spitting in the direction of away fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in the top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of the game and/or in an improper way by using offensive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue at team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from having poorly during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality 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 performance in central defence.

“People always mention experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I know that when we lose, people are constantly searching for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? So, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham with the game is now forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting further doubts about whether City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? So, always we have done plenty of positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see is high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it internally. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|