PHOTOS: Fans involved in violent clashes ahead of north London derby

Tempers boiled over Saturday afternoon as Arsenal and Tottenham supporters were involved in a series of violent scuffles outside of White Hart Lane ahead of the north London derby.

Police on horseback were dispatched into the crowd in an attempt to restore order as tensions between fans of the two rivals intensified, according to The Sun.

Blood trickled down the face of one supporter from an apparent head wound sustained during the melee:

It's the latest incident in a long series of clashes and disturbances between the two sets of supporters. Arsenal fans were criticised after a League Cup fixture earlier in the campaign when billboards were ripped off in the away section of White Hart Lane.

The race for top spot in the table may have played a role in tensions flaring up as Arsenal finds itself three points back of Tottenham in third place, with both sides attempting to gain ground on league leader Leicester City.