David Luiz's sending off in the closing stages of Chelsea's stalemate with Arsenal made the Brazilian defender the fifth Chelsea player to be sent off in their last eight games.
Michael Oliver did not hesitate in brandishing the red card at Luiz after a high challenge on Sead Kolasinac, with the 30-year-old remarkably already on a booking.
The tackle was the latest example of a nasty streak developing under Conte with the undesirable habit of picking up red cards and suspensions threatening to derail the Premier League champions' pursuit of silverware.
Possibly the most surprising thing about Luiz's potential leg-breaking challenge was manager's Conte reaction after the game.
When asked for his opinion on the dangerous and reckless tackle, the Italian coach was more concerned about mentioning the push from Alexis Sanchez on Luis in the build-up to the foul.
Conte said: "It's very important to see what happened before the David Luiz tackle. For sure there was a foul. The referee has to use the whistle. If he stops the play before I think it (wouldn't) happen."
The fact that Conte would rather point the finger at the match officials rather than Luiz's decision-making is a sign of the growing ill-discipline in the Chelsea camp.
Conte added: "I don't talk about the referees, but the only thing I can say is we need to see what happened before the tackle.
"I repeat that we have great respect for them. But sometimes, it is very strange to finish for the third time in a row with 10 men against Arsenal.
"For sure it's strange. A strange situation. I was a player and it can happen, this type of period and you are not so lucky to receive these red cards."
Luiz is the latest Chelsea player to face a suspension after both Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off in their opening day shock defeat to Burnley. Cahill's straight red card was for a reckless challenge while Fabregas was shown two yellows, one for sarcastically clapping referee Craig Pawson.
Victor Moses was sent off in the FA Cup final against Arsenal at the end of last year while Pedro was dismissed in the Community Shield last month against the same opponents. The Gunners capitalised on the man advantage both times and won both games.
A stat which stands out is the fact that Chelsea have picked up as many red cards in their last five Premier League games (three) as they had in their previous 73.
It is not just red cards which demonstrate the Blues' ill-discipline, they have also committed 66 fouls so far this season, more than any other Premier League team.