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In the latest English football updates, a notable midfielder has been given a substantial suspension, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive betterment following an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following allegations where he spat in the direction of away fans at the 67th mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the laws of football or in a poor way by engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is no an issue at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I understand that when we don’t win, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their midweek thriller at Fulham and the game has now been in the past. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they fought off a fightback and won 3-2 in their previous game, prompting more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows the two sides, right? Therefore, we have we have done many good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts have assumed a certain urgency.

“My first three or four days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be out for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone before the weekend matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must face it. We're fighting for survival. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|