Cesare Arzelà (6 March 1847–15 March 1912) was an Italian mathematician who taught at the University of Bologna and is recognized for his contributions in the theory of functions, particularly for his characterization of sequences of continuous functions, generalizing the one given earlier by Giulio Ascoli in the Arzelà–Ascoli theorem.

He was a pupil of the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa where he graduated in 1869.

He was working in Florence (from 1875) and in 1878 obtained the Chair of Algebra at the University of Palermo.

He conducted research in the field of theory of functions.

He was a member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, and of several other academies.