Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta admitted he was “pretty worried” over an injury suffered by star winger Bukayo Saka in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Saka, who was forced off midway through the first half, was seen on crutches leaving Selhurst Park after a game which saw the Gunners move to within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

“He (Saka) felt something in his hamstring,” Arteta said.

“He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.

“It’s very difficult to give a prognosis now. They have tested him inside but it’s very difficult to say how bad it is.”

He added: “Unfortunately with the amount of games that we are playing, every three days with this schedule, it doesn’t surprise me, but the team will react to that.”

Arsenal next face struggling Ipswich on Friday, Brentford on New Year’s Day and Brighton just three days later in the holiday fixture programme.

Having inflicted a first career defeat on Briton Fury by split decision in May, Usyk’s astuteness and will to win once again prevailed at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena – and he retained his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles.

These prove his status as a generational great with another close points win in their rematch in Saudi Arabia.

Fury, 36, found success in the first half of the fight. Some of the more eye-catching shots came from the Morecambe fighter, but the volume of punches and cleaner work were from Ukrainian Usyk.

All three judges scored it 116-112 to the 37-year-old champion.

Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, extended his undefeated record to 23 pro wins.

“He [Tyson Fury] is a great fighter, he is a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much,” Usyk said.

Two-time world champion Fury has only ever lost to Usyk, his two defeats the major blemishes on a record also consisting of 34 wins and one draw.

Fury left the ring without conducting an interview, before IBF world champion Daniel Dubois climbed in and called for a rematch with Usyk.

A visibly frustrated figure in the moments after the scorecards were read out, Fury said backstage he was convinced he won the fight by “at least three rounds”.

Ahmed Musa netted the winning goal as Kano Pillars recorded a 2-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.

Kano Pillars took the lead through Rashid Alhassan at the half-hour mark.

Niger Tornadoes fought back, with Mohammed Goyi equalising at the hour mark.

Musa found the target deep into stoppage time to win the game for Pillars.

Peter Awosanmi was on target as Sunshine Stars narrowly defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

In Benin City, Bendel Insurance also recorded a 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars, with Isaac Annor scoring the decisive strike in the 83rd minute.