Premier League Headlines: Mejbri Banned for Misconduct; City Boss Insists 'Defence Must Get Better'

In the latest Premier League updates, a significant midfielder has been given a significant ban, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements after a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body stated the player faced an independent disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters around the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA statement said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in their top-flight match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor manner by using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-game suspension and a fine after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is not a problem at club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I understand that when we don’t win, we are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win 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 on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. City held on for a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in their previous game, it raised more questions regarding whether City possess resilient enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? Therefore, always done plenty of positive things. But how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, who are 18th before Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We are fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|