Da Silva can be all gold for Gunners says Croatia coach Bilic

Da Silva's representative Zdravko Mamic, who is also the Dinamo vice-president, flew to London on Sunday to negotiate terms with Arsene Wenger, with his client unaware Arsenal were even interested in him.

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Mamic then flew to Austria that evening to reveal the news to the Croatia international, who had just met up with his club colleagues at pre-season training following a holiday in Brazil.

"He was very surprised and very happy," a friend of Da Silva's said. "He didn't know anything about it until the last minute.

"It is a great honour for him to play for Arsenal and to be asked to replace Thierry Henry."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: "Arsene is full of surprises and he knows what he is doing. This forward is certainly better than some we have been linked with."

But perhaps what will excite Arsenal fans even more is the glowing report from Da Silva's coach at Croatia, Slaven Bilic.

He said: "He's a brilliant striker and a complete player. He's going to be amazing for Arsenal. He's a goalscorer but his game does not just depend on scoring goals. He's a team player and he opens up space for others. There will be big pressure on him - but he got used to that in Croatia."

The striker, known as 'Dudu', flew into London last night and will have a medical at Arsenal's London Colney training base this morning before formally completing the transfer, which is a Croatian record.

It is understood that the Rio-born striker was watched 40 times by Arsenal's scouts last season.

The initial contact with Dinamo was made by Wenger's right-hand man Boro Primorac, the Bosnian who has close links with the club.

As a proven striker who scored 73 times in 104 games for Dinamo and who finished last season with a Croatian first division record 34 goals in just 32 games, Da Silva will be expected to be a predatory 'fox in the box' who can put the finishing touch to Arsenal's sweeping approach play.

He has also scored seven goals in 12 matches for his adopted country, including five in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, to drive Bilic's side within striking distance of the European Championships next summer.

Da Silva is Arsenal's second signing of the summer following the £2m capture of Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

The pair could soon be joined by 24-year-old French international Bakari Sagna, who has told Auxerre he wants to join the Gunners.

Negotiations are said to be 'ongoing' and a £6m deal for the defender could be completed by the end of the week.