Cazorla scored the Gunners' first goal from the penalty spot after Nacho Monreal was fouled by Vincent Kompany, then created the second when Olivier Giroud headed in his free kick into the penalty area.
The diminutive Spaniard caused City problems all afternoon, and earned praise from his manager in the aftermath of the match.
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David Price)
Wenger told the BBC: "Santi Cazorla has been superb for a while now but today he was maybe even more influential.
"The way the whole team defended gave him a lot of the ball, and when you give him the ball you always have a chance to relieve pressure.
"[In our performance] you felt the great unity, solidarity, togetherness and compactness in our team."
Santi Cazorla was the star of the show, netting the first goal from the penalty spot after Vincent Kompany was adjudged to have fouled Nacho Monreal in the box before turning provider and delivering a clever free kick for Olivier Giroud to seal the win.
City had Sergio Aguero making his first start of the year after recovering from a knee injury, but the Argentinian failed to deliver as City failed to bridge the gap on Chelsea, who finish the weekend five points clear of their title rivals.
Arsenal meanwhile, move past north London rivals Tottenham into fifth as they look to reclaim their top four place.
Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista has insisted Arsenal are trying to sign him - and says it would be "excellent" to move to the Emirates.
The Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign a defender in January with Paulista on his hit-list - which also includes West Ham's Winston Reid - as Arsenal try to see if they could get a work permit for the Brazilian defender.
The 24-year-old, who has yet to be capped by Brazil and does not have an EU passport, said: "The subject is being discussed by my agent and the club."
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Monday's Arsenal stories from other papers & websites
Arsenal open Destro talks
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Image:
Getty)
Arsenal have opened talks with Roma over a possible bid for Mattia Destro, reports The Express.
The former Genoa striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League and the Gunners are favourites to seal his signature according to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
Wenger is keen on replacing Lukas Podolski who has joined Inter Milan on loan until the end of the season.
Yaya Sanogo has also left the Emirates for Crystal Palace on a six-month loan deal leaving Arsenal in need of striking reinforcements.
Gunners dealt blow in Cavani chase
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Image:
Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Edinson Cavani after Real Madrid registered their interest in the striker, reports The Express.
The Uruguayan is unhappy at the Parc des Princes after falling out with PSG chief Laurent Blanc.
Los Blancos could look to replace Karim Benzema with Cavani should the Frenchman move to Liverpool.
Cavani has scored 14 goals in 28 appearances for the Ligue 1 club this season.
