While Manchester United and Arsenal meet at Old Trafford on Monday , the match-winning hero of the 1979 FA Cup final between the clubs will be watching in solitude two thousand miles away in Malta . Former Gunners striker Alan Sunderland emigrated there 20 years ago after his life in England turned sour but he still follows Arsenal ’ s fortunes and returns two or three times a year as a guest of the club . ‘ When Arsenal play a big game , I have to watch on my own , I ’ m nervous if I am around fans of the other teams , ’ he said . Yet he showed no sign of nerves in 1979 when he slid in to win the Cup for Arsenal . Alan Sunderland celebrates scoring the winning goal for Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup final at Wembley . Sunderland 's 89th minute goal handed Arsenal a 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Wembley . Sunderland , 61 , said : ‘ The night before the final , an Arsenal fan at our hotel gave all the players a silver dollar as a lucky token — I ’ ve still got mine ! ’ But his luck ran out after he retired through injury at the age of 36 having played for Wolves , Arsenal and Ipswich . He went through a divorce , was given a driving ban that hindered coaching opportunities and drifted from jobs in insurance , pubs and letting . Then , despite having three children in England , he decided on a radical change . He had an apartment in Malta as a holiday home and 20 years ago decided to stay . He said : ‘ It ’ s an easy life , the island is small and you ’ ve got the sea. ’ Arsenal hero Sunderland pictured outside of the modern day Wembley stadium . Sunderland ( centre ) pictured slotting in the winning goal for Arsenal in the 1979 final against United . He admits to being a solitary person but he is still recognised by fans after that late winner . ‘ People talk about my hair in all the pictures from the final , ’ he added . ‘ Everyone had perms then but mine was naturally frizzy . ‘ It ’ s getting a bit rough and wiry again as it happens . I must get it cut ! ’
Alan Malta scored the winner in Arsenal 's 1979 FA Cup final win . Malta struck in the 89th minute for a dramatic 3-2 victory . He now lives in Sunderland , where he will watch Monday 's clash between the two .