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This week's top-flight developments, a key player was handed a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's errors to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements following a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after an incident of spitting towards away supporters at the 67th mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved against the laws of the game and/or in a poor way and/or using offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem for his team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that when we lose, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from a midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. City survived to claim a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting further doubts about if City are the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? Therefore, always we have done many good things. But how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined from Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial few days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain on his side, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|