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From the world of top-flight news, a significant player was issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a financial fine for misconduct during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in their top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted against the rules of the game or in an improper manner by using offensive and/or indecent conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and a fine after proceedings. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no a problem at team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“We always mention experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Was he any good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham with the episode is now in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel required to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from what happens performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? So, always we have done many positive things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“My first three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain on his side, who are 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen 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 against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|