After years of stomach-gurgling, nail-chewing anxiety, this was an entirely different Arsenal experience. After the torrents of hoping, fearing, and stumbling, they were completely free of stress and desperation. It is too early to say whether it will catch on, but in the meantime, the general reduction in blood pressure seemed to go down well at the Emirates.The champions strutted to a convincing 3-0 victory. The manager didn’t need to hop around as intensely as his reputation demands. The fans were so liberated from “second again” mockery that they didn’t even bother to sing it ironically. They could afford to laugh with Martin Odegaard as he kicked a shot against his other foot, enabling the ball to spoon in like a parody of the perfect technique he obsesses over. They were easy-going enough to shrug as Noni Madueke overhit a cross. They applauded generously, whether welcoming back World Cup winners Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, or saluting the efforts of their new winger, Christos Tzolis, as he jogged off and looked as if he had the dynamic energy to go and run a marathon for fun. Why do so many PL teams have new sponsors?Tifo FootballBy then Arsenal were cruising, thanks to an hour of crisp passing and progressive possession punctuated by goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Odegaard. “Flow” was the word Mikel Arteta chose to describe it. This team in flow is trying to push themselves to be even better than before. Considering all the goalscorers had erratic seasons last time out where they did not feel at their best (or were blighted by injuries), they look as if they intend to show more, give more, this time around. This was Arsenal with the air of poised authority that comes with being champions. In their first game back, against newly promoted opposition, they wore their crown well. Yes, it was only Coventry, at home, which is the sort of fixture they ought to be flexing some muscle. And yes, it was a helpful opener when players are still fine-tuning and sharpening up after the World Cup and belated holidays. But it was also an opportunity for Arsenal to show how winning the league last May has boosted their sense of self.