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From the world of top-flight updates, a notable midfielder has been handed a significant suspension, a head coach has singled to a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player faced a separate disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of away fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement explained: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their top-flight game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the laws of the game and/or in an improper way and/or using abusive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-match suspension and a fine after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not an issue at team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn performance at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that if we don’t win, people are always searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have learnt from their midweek scare against Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous game, it raised further doubts regarding whether they possess resilient enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? So, always we have done plenty of good things. But how many attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

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

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he himself admitted the error. We discussed it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We're battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|