Everton are poised to make a £20 million bid for Theo Walcott, following the forward’s latest Arsenal snub.

Walcott was left on the bench for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup goalless draw with Chelsea, even though Alex Iwobi broke club rules by partying ahead of the FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Despite promising Iwobi would be punished, Wenger started the 21 year-old ahead of Walcott for the trip to Chelsea and also preferred Danny Welbeck to him after deciding to relegate Alexis Sanchez to the substitutes’ bench.

Sanchez, who Arsenal are growing resigned to losing this month, stepped off the bench, but Walcott was once again a spectator. That has increased the chances of Walcott ending his 12-year stay at Arsenal this month and Everton are currently in pole position, ahead of Southampton, to land the England international.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would prefer Walcott to stay at the Emirates, but could be prepared to let him go if Welbeck remains fit and Olivier Giroud does not suffer an injury setback.