English Football Headlines: Mejbri Banned for Spitting; Guardiola Insists 'Defence Must Improve'
In the latest English football updates, a notable midfielder has been given a substantial suspension, a manager has singled out a player's errors to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline improvements following an erratic victory.
1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Fine
The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct during October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri faced a separate disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting towards visiting fans at the 67th mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.
An FA statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the laws of football or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”
The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.
2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is no a problem at club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.
Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.
“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that when we lose, people are always looking for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”
He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not good enough.”
3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'
Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a recent scare at Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.
This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting further doubts about whether City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and think of what's next.”
“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see our sides, right? Therefore, always done many good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is too high. We have to be better.”
Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Deals
Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.
That has left Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.
“My first three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”
Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain sidelined for another week.
Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham
The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a red card against Liverpool.
“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”
He also understands the intense strain on his side, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”
Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino
Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
He scored the first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|