Pep Guardiola has a simple message for his Manchester City squad: play so well that VAR becomes irrelevant. The City boss is urging his players to take matters into their own hands after a series of controversial decisions that have left a bitter taste.

Guardiola hasn't forgotten the FA Cup final heartbreaks of 2024 and 2025, where he believes his side were on the wrong end of crucial calls. The frustration resurfaced after West Ham were denied a stoppage-time equalizer against Arsenal following a lengthy VAR review last Sunday—a decision that left the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

"We lost the two FA Cup finals because the referees didn't do their jobs, even the VAR," Guardiola said. "But when this happens, it's because we have to do better—not the referees or VAR."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has learned a hard lesson over the years. "I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago," he admitted. "You have to do it better, be in a position to do it better, because VAR is a flip of a coin."

City's 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Manchester United two years ago still stings, with Guardiola convinced his side deserved two penalties after challenges on Erling Haaland by Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo. Then came last season's shock defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley, where goalkeeper Dean Henderson escaped a red card for handling outside his area before saving a penalty.

But rather than dwell on past injustices, Guardiola is focused on the present. City face Palace again in the Premier League on Wednesday, and a win would cut Arsenal's lead to just two points. "You have to do better for yourself," he said. "Of course, it's not in our hands in the Premier League. But I always tell the players: focus on what you can control."

For Guardiola, the message is clear: when the game is on the line, the best way to beat the system is to make sure the system doesn't matter.