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One Easter Sunday, I attended a screening of the film Jesus Christ Superstar put on by my friend at the Brooklyn, New York, office of the well-respected literary magazine where she worked. There were about eight people there. All appeared to be treating the event as a substitute for church service: something they felt obliged to do. A French and comparative literature Ph.D. student made a point to tell me that he did not “get” musicals and was not expecting much from the film. He told me this, I think, because he knew I occasionally write theater reviews, attend Broadway musicals, and generally engage with the medium in a way that most people who pursue advanced degrees in French—and socialize at the offices of well-respected literary magazines on warm Sundays in April—do not. In the exchange that followed, I was able to ascertain that the real scourge for him was not movie musicals, which at least fit into a larger framework of film history, but the Broadway shows that are their frequent source material. It was a problem, he said, of overblown emotion. It was not relatable. I did not mount the exhaustive defense that he maybe thought I would. But I did ask him if he enjoyed going to the opera.

“Of course,” he said.

My own interest in the genre should not be overstated. Most Broadway musicals I have seen courtesy of comped tickets or evenings out with my parents. All those I’ve attended of my own volition have been written in some capacity by Stephen Sondheim, who is about as intellectually prudent a favorite as one can have while still being wearily unoriginal. Still, within my milieu, it doesn’t take much to be considered a “musicals person.” I wasn’t sure I was. But I found it odd that in a world where art and fashion and literature commingled with ease, musicals remained an object of scorn.

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Manchester United are preparing to face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, with both sides aware that the fixture represents one of their toughest tests of the season. The match arrives at a crucial moment, with momentum and confidence playing an important role for both clubs.

United’s Early Carrick Momentum

United appear revitalised following the appointment of Michael Carrick as manager, although his tenure has only just begun. The former midfielder oversaw his first match against Manchester City and secured an impressive victory, immediately raising optimism around the club. Carrick will now be aiming to build on that result by delivering back-to-back wins, fully aware of the significance such a start would have for belief within the squad.

Despite the positive signs, United face a demanding challenge against an Arsenal side determined to respond after a brief dip in form. Carrick knows that consistency will be the real measure of progress, particularly against opponents with Arsenal’s quality and depth. The encounter is expected to be intense and closely contested, with fine margins likely to decide the outcome.

Arsenal Seek a Home Response

Arsenal have not won either of their last two league matches and will be eager to put that right in front of their home supporters. The Gunners remain confident in the quality of their squad and understand the importance of securing a victory to avoid allowing doubts to creep in. With expectations high, this match represents an opportunity to reassert control and demonstrate resilience.

The fixture promises to be one of the most demanding games both teams will face this season, offering excitement and drama for supporters. However, United will have to cope without one of their most important players, as Matthijs de Ligt has not recovered from injury in time to feature.

Jamie Carragher has compared the current Arsenal side to Manchester United’s treble-winning team of 1999, highlighting the scale of what Mikel Arteta’s men could potentially achieve this season. That famous United team recovered from a slow start to the campaign before going on to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup, setting a benchmark that has rarely been matched since.

Arsenal’s Position Across Competitions

Arsenal find themselves in an exceptionally strong position as the season develops. They are competing on multiple fronts and remain firmly in contention for major honours. The Gunners are currently top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, while they have also reached the semi-final of the League Cup. This combination of consistency and progress across competitions has fuelled the belief that this campaign could be truly historic for the club.

There is even a suggestion that Arsenal could surpass the achievements of that United side by lifting four trophies if everything falls into place. The squad has approached the season with a clear focus, taking each game as it comes in an effort to maintain concentration and avoid distractions. That mindset has helped them deliver a series of impressive performances and build momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Carragher Sees Historic Potential

Despite the optimism, it is understood that success is far from guaranteed. Football can change quickly, and Arsenal could still be eliminated from competitions in the coming weeks if results do not go their way. Winning even a single trophy requires consistency, composure and a degree of fortune, particularly when competing against elite opposition on multiple fronts.

However, the level Arsenal have shown has prompted Carragher to draw bold comparisons. Writing as cited by Daily Telegraph, he said, “But a more pertinent reference point for Arteta’s side is where they might eventually rate alongside Ferguson’s 1999 treble winners.