Pep Guardiola wants players to render VAR unnecessary before Crystal Palace game

Guardiola feels his Manchester City team has suffered from poor replay decisions before and remains frustrated by rulings that hurt them in the FA Cup finals of 2024 and 2025.

VAR drew attention once more when West Ham, battling relegation, had a late equaliser disallowed against title-contending Arsenal after a long check last Sunday, resulting in the Gunners 1-0 victory that keeps them five points ahead of second-placed City in the Premier League.

However, City boss Guardiola stated that players can remove VAR from the picture themselves.

"We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn't do their jobs they should do, even the VAR," said Guardiola.

"When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR."

The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach continued: "I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin."

City fell 2-1 to rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final two years back, with Guardiola convinced his squad deserved two penalties from incidents involving Erling Haaland against Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo.

More drama unfolded at Wembley in Citys unexpected loss to Crystal Palace in the previous seasons final.

Dean Henderson shone for Palace, denying a penalty, though the result could have shifted if he had been red-carded for handling the ball outside his box.

Still, Guardiola stressed he is not fixating on that game before the Premier League clash with Palace on Wednesday, where victory would narrow Arsenals top-table edge to two points.

"You have to do better and better for yourself, and that is focusing on Crystal Palace for us," said Guardiola.

"Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, 'Do it, do it, do it better'.

"I always learned that when you lose the focus, you are in a dangerous situation.

"The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control."