🔗 Share this article

This week's Premier League updates, a notable midfielder was given a significant ban, a manager has pointed out a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements after a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour in October's match versus Leeds United. The governing body stated the player was referred a separate disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters around the 67th mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of football or in a poor way and/or engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-game suspension and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, currently in 19th place in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is no a problem at club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we lose, people are always searching for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from a recent scare against Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts regarding if City possess the defensive steel required to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard what happens performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, always done plenty of positive things. But how many shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with important backline players 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 is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to be sidelined for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We're fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite their regular strikers are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift No 9 due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|