🔗 Share this article

This week's Premier League developments, a significant midfielder was handed a substantial ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission after an incident where he spat in the direction of away supporters around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in the top-flight game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted in breach of the laws of football or in an improper way and/or using abusive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no a problem for his team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from playing a bad game in the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is 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.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a recent scare against Fulham and the episode is now in the past. City survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised more questions about whether they possess the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he said. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to learn from what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? So, we have done many positive things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain sidelined for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I believe the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, who are 18th ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We're fighting for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. Merino has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|