Harry Redknapp's plan was clearly to take the sting out of Arsenal's attack, and it worked to perfection thanks to some rugged defending.
Sol Campbell put in a man of the match display against his former team, and Sylvain Distin was an able ally, keeping Emmanuel Adebayor surprisingly quiet.
Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas were also hassled throughout, and though they still managed some neat passes, the incisiveness in the final third was missing.
The first half was a cagey affair that saw both sides cancel each other out in the final third, and neither David James nor Manuel Almunia had to do anything.
Arsenal were obviously the side more keen on the win, and went for it after the break.
However, Benjani almost made them pay against the run of play, tucking a long ball past an onrushing Almunia, but too far away from him as well, allowing Gael Clichy to track back and just about clear.
The Gunners enjoyed the majority of the possession, but no clear chances until very late in the game. They have scored quite a few late winners to rescue three points, but this was an evening on which they would not.
A loose ball from Cesc Fabregas indirectly found its way to William Gallas four minutes from time, but the Arsenal skipper, who has been inspirational in scoring key goals, put it over from point blank range, leaving Wenger clutching his hair in frustration.
Tomas Rosicky also had a chance in the 93rd minute after substitute Nicklas Bendtner squared the ball to him, but the Czech fired inches wide from ten yards out as the home side held on for a share of the spoils.
The result means that Manchester United take over at the top of the table, now leading Arsenal by one point. The Gunners are away to Everton next in what is another testing game.
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